LAKE WORTH — More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay, and those who are low-income are two times more likely to have untreated cavities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Troubling statistics such as these are why Palm Beach State College is for the sixth year—the first since the pandemic—offering a Free Dentistry Day with the hope of alleviating some of this pain and suffering.

On Wednesday, April 17, dentists affiliated with Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic, aided by Palm Beach State Dental Health students, will treat adults, 18 and older, at the Dental Health building located on the Lake Worth campus, 4200 Congress Ave.

Adults who need, but cannot afford, fillings or extractions will be seen at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Treatment will begin at 8 a.m., but the College will allow entry to the campus starting at 6 a.m. A total of 50 patients will be seen for the day. While several dentists will be available, patients should be prepared to wait. The event will conclude at 4 p.m.

The treatment will be limited to fillings and extractions. The dentists will not perform dental check-ups, cleanings or advanced dental work, such as crowns and bridges. By focusing on fillings and extractions, the dentists will be able to do the most good for adults who cannot afford these services. Patients who cannot be treated will be given a list of options.

Dentists licensed to practice in Florida will perform the treatments. The dentists are taking time away from their practices to volunteer for this event. Students enrolled in Palm Beach State’s Dental Assisting program will assist the dentists chairside, and PBSC Dental Hygiene students will conduct pre-exam interviews and patient education.

Free Dentistry Day is an outgrowth of the longtime partnership between Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic and Palm Beach State’s Dental Health Services Department. ACDRC uses the College’s dental clinic to provide Dental Assisting students with the required clinical experience, as well as continuing education for community dentists.

“The students, faculty and staff of Dental Health Services at Palm Beach State College are very excited to host our sixth Free Dentistry Day event,” said Colleen Bradshaw, associate professor and Dental Assisting department chair. “Supported by the outstanding dentists from the Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic, we have provided relief for patients in pain who cannot afford dental treatment. It’s a humbling experience, and we feel honored to serve the community in this way once again.”

No appointments will be taken, but for additional information, call 561-868-3747.

To learn more about Palm Beach State’s Dental Health programs, visit the College’s Health Sciences Pathway.

For more information about ACDRC, visit www.AtlanticCoastDentalResearchClinic.org.

Directions: Enter the Lake Worth campus at the traffic light on Congress Avenue between Sixth Avenue South and Lake Worth Road. Once on the campus, take first left. At the stop sign, turn right. The Dental Assisting Program Clinic is in the Dental Health (DH) building, the one-story building on the right. Park in the Copper parking lot directly across from the building.

Please Note: Sixth Avenue South is closed from Grove Street (just east of the Lake Osborne Church) to Congress Avenue, thus closing the Sixth Avenue entrance to the Lake Worth campus.

For a campus map, please go to www.palmbeachstate.edu/LakeWorth