Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
Contents    |   Next     |   Previous

 Mission of Mercy

By Web Communications
Baylor College of Dentistry
The Texas A&M Health Science Center
Monday, February 19, 2007

STORY:  DENTAL CHARITY
SCRIPT #713  SHOOT:  2/16/07
Writer:  Sara Ivey, Ivey Production Co.
AIRDATE:  Monday,  Feb. 19, 2007
DHC Master #21    Timecode: 1:28:00

Texas dentists travel from all over the state to perform dental procedures for needy patients. This past weekend, the dentists helped more than 600 people in a 48-hour dental marathon. News 8's Dr. Linda Niessen has the wrap-up.

It's called the Texas Mission of Mercy. The idea is simple: set up more than thirty dental chairs. See hundreds of patients in two days--patients like Maria Garza.

“Oh my gosh, I think it’s a blessing. That’s the way I feel," said Maria. "And to get an appointment like the waiting line out there is just outrageous. I was very fortunate to get an appointment. And I’m very excited about it also.”

Maria had two teeth removed. Dentists provide all the dental care free of charge.

Dr. Carmen Smith, a Dentist in the program, said, “It’s just so wonderful to be able to give my services to people who probably wouldn’t come to my office or any of my colleagues offices.”

All the dental equipment must be portable. Here's how this works. You point this hand-held x-ray unit and you get a digital image immediately on the computer.

So far, Texas dentists have provided more than three million dollars in free dental services. They've served almost 10,000 patients during 13 different events.

Dr. Richard Smith, another of the dentists in the program, said, “We found out that there was a lot of mission work that needed to be done right here in the state. We can do it in our own backyard. We’ve got Texas dentists helping Texas citizens on an issue that is very important: access to care.”

At the latest event in Dallas, a new mobile dental van provided free panoramic x-rays. It's one additional way to help patients obtain treatment to relieve dental pain.

“Putting smiles on everyone’s faces," said the Doctor, "I’m looking forward to that.”

For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.  
      

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

Contents    |   Next     |   Previous