Thousands to receive free dental care in Phoenix

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - The Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation has been holding clinics like this for seven years now, and this year, rain or shine, they provided the care needed.

"I was so nervous, I thought if they have us outside we're going to be freezing, it's going to be cold," Patrick Morales said.

The thousand-plus patients who waiting in line did so indoors. The Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation, or C.A.D.S.F., provided a warm, dry place on the fairgrounds for crowds to line up because of the rain.

"I'm hoping to get a root canal, some fillings, teeth whitening, cleaning... all the good stuff," Morales said.

"I would like to get a partial dentures if I could," another person said. "I'm missing teeth."

From dentures to extractions, fillings to cleanings, and root canals and crowns, the comprehensive care offered is invaluable.

"You have to have your teeth cleaned, this is the only place to get it, if you need a filling, this is the only place to get it done," another person said. "It's worth the wait."

Directors still see a need seven years later and that's why they say teaching these patients about dental health is key.

"I think we're still seeing issues, I don't know if they're getting worse, but I don't know if they're getting better," Dr. Brett Dameron said. "I think it's all about education."

One thousand patients will be treated tomorrow. Doors to Veteran's Memorial Coliseum on the fairgrounds open at 6 a.m. and the dentists and hygienists will be working all the way until 6 p.m. to ensure that everyone is taken care of.