Shelby Baptist Association unveiled and dedicated its new mobile dental clinic during the association’s annual meeting today (Oct. 15) at The Church at old Town in Helena.
The new ministry aims to partner with the association’s network of 65 churches to provide free dental care to Shelby County residents who are in need of high-quality and affordable health care, SBA’s lead mission strategist Ric Camp shared in a news release.
Helping close the health-care gap
“CDC data suggests that nearly half of Alabama counties have less than 10 dentists, some have none,” he explained. “Those taking the hardest hit are patients in rural communities with little to no access to health care. It is estimated that more than 16,000 Shelby County residents do not have any form of health insurance and are often times forced to go without necessary health care.
“SBA is determined to close the widening health-care gap,” Camp said. “The mobile dental clinic will meet these needs by taking health care straight to the communities they are living in.”
Variety of services
The dental clinic sits in a fully outfitted seven-ton trailer, complete with state-of-the-art equipment, A/C, two dental chairs and a waiting and reception area. The services range from cleanings to fillings and extractions. Those helping SBA fund the project are Send Relief, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and the Shelby County Community Health Foundation.
“By partnering with churches throughout Shelby County, the mobile dental clinic will travel to different hosting sites and treat patients according to their specific needs with volunteer labor from licensed dentists and hygienists and support staff,” he shared.
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