Hundreds Line Up as Dentists Provide Free Dental Care in Orange Park

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Hundreds Line Up as Dentists Provide Free Dental Care in Orange Park
2:27 PM, Apr 2, 2011  |  Local News
COMMUNITIES
Orange Park


ORANGE PARK, Fla. --  It's something not everyone can afford-- dental care.  A group of dentists spent their Saturday making sure at least a portion of First Coast residents received the care they need, for free.

The sign outside The Dentist Place in Orange Park said it all-- Free Extraction or Cleaning, first 100 patients.  Patients lined up outside in huge numbers.

"And I just thank God so much for this. I really do," said patient Linda Mercer.

Mercer arrived early to make sure she got in a chair for some much needed dental work.

"Did a fill-in for me. He saved my teeth," said Mercer.

Seven doctors from the Heartland Dental Care group worked under one roof to provide the free care.  Dr. Charles Conley with The Dentist Place said they've done this before, but on a smaller scale with a focus on children.

"But this time we changed it around and wanted to focus on everybody because we know times are hard for people and we want to help them out because we've been doing well here at The Dentist Place in Orange Park," said Conley.

Conley said they're surprised at the number of people who showed up for the service.

"We are. We were going with the first 100 people, but it looks like we've turned them over pretty quickly and may do more than 100 people," said Conley.

In all, it's expected they'd see up to 300 people.  Conley says they don't mind giving back.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/199067/3/Hundreds-Line-Up-as-Dentists-Provide-Free-Dental-Care-in-Orange-Park