Thursday, April 15, 2010

Students with the University of North Carolina Wilmington's pre-dental program will assist local and regional dental professionals in a North Carolina Missions of Mercy dental clinic scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1401 S. College Road. UNCW pre-dental club students will be on hand to help set up dental equipment on Thursday, April 29 from noon to 5 p.m. They will also assist the dental professionals on the days of the clinic.

The clinic will provide free dental cleanings, fillings and extractions to needy children and adults, those who have no dental insurance and whose family income falls 200 percent or more below the National Poverty Index. Registration and initial examinations of the patients begins at the church at 6 a.m. both days and patients will be served on a first come, first served basis. A similar clinic held in Wilmington in 2009 provided free dental care to 650 patients over the two-day period.

The event is sponsored by the NC Missions of Mercy, Wilmington Tri-County Dental Society, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Wilmington South Rotary and Cape Fear Memorial Foundation. For additional information, visit the NC Missions of Mercy Web site at www.ncmissionsofmercy.org.

Members of the media are welcome to attend the initial set up on April 29 and/or the clinic on April 30 and May 1. Pre-dental students and representatives with NC Missions of Mercy will be available for interviews and photo opportunities.

Media contacts:
Dana Fischetti, UNCW media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 910.791.4092

Dr. Robert Plage, participating Wilmington dentist, 910.762.4155

Photo captions available upon request.