Free dental care clinic

New Haven (WTNH) - Hundreds of people lined up early in the morning in New Haven for a chance to see a dentist for free.

"We're serving 2,000 to 2,400 people in the next 48 hours," said Dr. Richmond Hung, president of the New Haven chapter of the Connecticut Mission of Mercy . "That's a phenomenal number of people."

About one million people lack access to dental care in the state. Poor dental health can lead to all kinds of medical complications, and in extreme cases oral infections can spread to other parts of the body and even lead to death.

The Mission of Mercy wants to prevent these types of outcomes with their free dental care clinic, which is said to be the only large scale clinic of its type in the state.

"We know the need far outweighs what we can do in two days," Dr. Gerald Alexander said, "and I hope it increases the level of awareness in the community for the importance of maybe improving access to care."

People started lining up around 6:00 p.m. Thursday night for one of the slots. Treatment is on a first come, first served basis. Shortly before 7:00 a.m. organizers had to start turning people away because they reached capacity.

Elaine Kolb rode in her power chair all the way from West Haven, waiting in line for over two hours to see a dentist.

"They're wonderful because there's such a huge need," said Kolb, who hadn't seen a dentist for more than a decade. "People that are here today are just the tip of the iceberg."

"This team effort with the University of New Haven, with the Hospital of St. Raphael, with WYBC coming down, helping us treat these individuals is a great testament to the effort and goodwill that we have in New Haven," Dr. Hung said.

Governor M. Jodi Rell's latest budget recommendation limits dental coverage for adult HUSKY A or Medicaid beneficiaries to emergency care only. The governor's office says in the last few years only eight states, including Connecticut actually provided full coverage for adults.

"I understand a budget crunch," said Kolb. "But guess who always gets crunched? The poorest people."

Mission of Mercy's free dental clinic continues Saturday, April 18th, at the New Haven Public Field House, 480 Sherman Parkway.