by Gene Marrano
Now a year old, the freestanding Dr. G. Wayne Fralin Free Clinic on Tazewell Avenue originated at the Roanoke Rescue Mission that is located just around the corner on 4th Avenue. Offering medical services and mental health options to the homeless, the clinic also hopes to expand its dental service. Last Friday two local dentists, Drs. Wharton Ramsey and Dan Thompson, spent the better part of a day taking x-rays and pulling teeth from those who cannot afford dental care elsewhere.
“You have to be homeless,” said Rescue Mission director of development and finance Lee Clark about the eligibility criteria. The clinic itself, which operates like an urgent care center according to Clark, opened last month on property the Rescue Mission had purchased and then renovated.
All of the physicians who spend time at the clinic are volunteers. “We don’t have any on staff,” noted Clark, who said the Rescue Mission is “working hard” to have dentists available on a weekly basis. The medical center is affiliated with the Virginia Association of Free Clinics.
Those seeking services do not have to be a resident of the parent Rescue Mission. Anyone who is homeless, uninsured and unemployed is eligible for clinic services, according to Clark. A nurse, case manager and a receptionist are on staff at the clinic. Those with more serious problems are referred to local hospitals.
Full mouth x-rays were taken of new patients, with images sent to a laptop computer screen where Ramsey and Thompson could look for teeth that needed work. “It really helps to deliver patient care fast,” said Clark of the technology available. There are four dental exam rooms at the clinic; Ramsey and Wharton worked two rooms each last Friday. Clark anticipated beforehand that 60-100 teeth might have to be pulled.
Clinic personnel also preach dental hygiene to the homeless that seek help there: brushing on a regular basis, flossing, etc. Laura Padgett, a dental hygienist who also works in Bedford, is the clinic coordinator for the dental practice: “my goal is to have a dentist here [at least] every Friday.”
She’d like to have one volunteer dentist come in every day at some point in the near future. “Any help we can get would be much appreciated,” said Padgett. “[hopefully] more dentists will get the message.”
To that end Ramsey, president of the Roanoke Valley Dental Society, said he would spread the word about volunteering at the Fralin Clinic. “It’s a way they can give back to the community,” said Ramsey as he took a short break between patients. Ramsey said he chips in on a “semi-regular basis.”
“There’s definitely a need,” said Padgett about the uninsured homeless who cannot afford regular dental care. Of the 6 to 8 patients that might be seen when a dentist is available, “six are in pain,” she noted. One man who came in recently had never had his teeth cleaned- at the age of 52.
Better-looking teeth might give someone more confidence when it comes to looking for a job. “Its definitely a ministry,” added Padgett, who is also looking for volunteer hygienists to work alongside the dentists.
For more information about volunteering contact: [email protected] or call 777-7671.
