Temple dentists hosts first Free Dental Day

Monday, 04 March 2013 by Grayson Edds

Saturday was a memorable day for Fossum Dental Care in Temple as they hosted their first Dental Day, which provided completely free dental care to approximately 140 patients that day.

Those most eager to be seen early could be found camping outside the dental office in Temple as early as 11 p.m. Friday night. Vouchers were given to 37 people for future use who weren't able to be seen that day.

The practice operated with five dentists that day – three more than is normally on staff – and a total of 30 employees for the day.

"I was very surprised; it went very smoothly," Dr. Fossum said. "We planned on only seeing 50, and got 140."

The community rallied together to assist the doctors in their endeavor. Temple Police Department Officers donated their time to be onhand to ensure that order was maintained. Lamar Advertising donated a billboard advertisment promoting the event. Two restaurants joined the initiative, Chick-fil-A donated breakfast for the staff and McAlister's Deli donated lunch. And two pharmacies, West Side Drug and Medicine Shoppe, donated antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for the patients.

"It was mostly extractions," Fossum said. "We had three root canals, but it was mostly extractions."

Dr. Fossum said that they plan on hosting another event closer to the summer so those waiting outside won't be so cold, and will likely make it an annual event thereafter.

"I was pleasantly surprised at how grateful people were," Fossum said. "I was expecting chaos and almost everyone was grateful and would stand up and thank me for doing this."

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