PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh-area nonprofit held its latest annual free dental and hearing clinic, and we now know how many people they were able to help.
Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh served 1,592 patients during its ninth annual clinic at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Oct. 16-17.
More than 1,900 general volunteers and health care professionals delivered free care to more than 1,200 patients. They administered 487 hearing tests and fitted 329 individuals with free hearing aids.
In addition to on-site dental and hearing treatments, organizers referred 150 patients to a Community Vision Day held Oct. 18, at the UPMC Vision Institute for complimentary vision care.
Dental services accounted for the majority of care during the two-day clinic, including preliminary exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, select root canals and partials.
Additionally, volunteer dental providers performed more than 1,000 tooth extractions to help relieve patients of chronic severe pain and infections.
To accommodate families seeking care together, organizers expanded patient experience features by adding a dedicated family dentistry area and a children’s play zone.
Kenya T. Boswell, president of the H...