LAKELAND, Fla. — Mission of Mercy is hosting its annual free dental clinic Friday and Saturday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

More than 300 dentists are hoping to see as many as 2000 people during the two-day clinic, and have prioritized 250 veterans for free dental care.

The 250 veterans were assessed ahead of the event on Thursday afternoon to avoid a more timely assessment and care during regular clinic hours.

Dr. Christopher Bulnes with Buckenheimer and Bulnes Dentistry in South Tampa leads the free dental clinic every year, and says because most people wait until the last minute to get dental care, the cost of visits can be expensive.

“If they didn’t have private insurance with a private sector job, then they are kind of left in the lurch where they can’t afford to get to a dentist to take care of this because maybe they don’t qualify. They make too much money to be on medicaid, which is a whole other topic,” Bulnes said. “But they are caught in this segment where what do we do? So they let things go.”

The free clinic opens at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.

Dentists and hygienists will provide a number of services at the free clinic, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited root canals, dentures and pediatric dentistry. 

For more information on Mission of Mercy’s free dental clinic, visit www.floridadental.org/foundation/programs/mission-of-mercy