More help is available for those struggling and in desperate need of dental care in Manatee County.
The dental clinic at Turning Points in Bradenton, which provides free dental care to the uninsured and underinsured, is expanding their services.
The Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation gave the clinic a $50,000 grant. The money was used to add a new fully-equipped dental operatory room. This will help the clinic see more patients.
“Last year the dental clinic saw 700 patients,” said Margi Dawson, the director of development for Turning Points. “Now if we have another room, and we get another dentist, we can double the amount of patients we can see.”
At a dedication ceremony for the new Kiwanis room, Dr. James Little, a dentist at the clinic, said this donation will do wonders.
“That will allow us to do $1 million additional of free dentistry,” he said.
Little said since opening their doors in 2009, the clinic has provided nearly $9 million in free services to the uninsured and underinsured residents of Manatee County.
Patient Cody Murphy was fitted for dentures at the clinic. He said he’s very thankful for the services and happy it’s available.
“I can’t wait to be able to smile and be proud of smiling instead of looking away,” he said.
Now that the clinic can see more patients, there is a need for more volunteer dentists and assistants.
Little said they’re also looking for more funding.
"Even though we don’t charge anything, it does cost us money,” he said. “We’re not sponsored by federal government or state government.”
More Information
Turning Points Dental and Medical Clinic, 701 17th Ave West, Bradenton
Tel: (941) 567-6156
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.