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The original Rotary Club of Morehead City and Rotary District 7730 will bring the Baptists on Mission Dental Ministry van to Ocracoke for a free clinic Wednesday, Nov. 18, to Friday, Nov. 20.
Paid for by the Rotary groups, islanders seeking dental care are asked to call the Ocracoke Health Center at 252-928-1511 for a pre-exam to assess your need and to make appointments.
“We shall see adults and cooperative children for simple dental problems and make appropriate referrals as necessary,” said Dr. Stephen Smith of Morehead City, who is organizing the event.
They will give priority to patients in pain or with swelling and can do most extractions and fillings at the clinic. Depending on the response, they may be able to expand clinic hours, he said, but they will not take walk-ins.
The only charge to islanders will be for prescriptions.
The self-contained mobile clinic has two operatories, an X-ray, room air sanitizers and standard COVID-19 protective gear. The medical history form is in Spanish and Spanish speakers will be available.
All of the medical professionals are volunteering their time and expertise, Smith said.
While the group will include one hygienist and two dental assistants, Smith said the operation still needs one hygienist on Friday.
Qualified professionals are asked to call Smith at 252-241-2594.
“Many people in Carteret County have friends and relatives at Ocracoke,” Smith said about the service. “We asked the Ocracoke Health Center if there was a need to do this event. Their response was, ‘How soon could you make it happen?’”
The group decided to wait until after hurricane season to commit to this five-day operation.
“Ocracoke got hit by Dorian; we got hit with Hurricane Florence,” he said. “We know the people of Ocracoke are tough, but we want to make life a little easier for our neighbors.”
Last year after Hurricane Dorian, he said the club sponsored 10 children to receive $300 for whom to buy Christmas presents.
The Anchorage Inn where the group is staying is donating the rooms.
