School of Dental Medicine to offer free exams, x-rays

dental instruments on trayCase Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine is offering free dental exams and X-rays for first-time adult patients at the school’s Comprehensive Care Clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Such basic dental services typically cost about $90.

To be eligible for the free service, you must be a first-time patient of the dental school clinic and at least 18 years old. Appointments are required. Call 216.368.8730 or 216.368.3200 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Third- and fourth-year dental students, under the supervision of dental school faculty members, will treat patients.

Patients will be accepted for appointment at either 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. Appointments take about one and a half to two hours. The clinic is at 2124 Cornell Road, on the Case Western Reserve campus.

This marks the second year the dental school has offered free basic services to new patients during the “Admitting Day.” Last year’s pilot project filled all 150 patient slots quickly. Organizers plan to accept about twice that number this year, and anyone interested in the service is encouraged to secure an appointment well in advance.

The dental school clinic treats more than 8,000 patients each year, including university students, employees and the general public.

“We are a very important safety net for the community,” said Sorin Teich, associate dean of clinical operations at the dental school, “because the mouth provides a window to the body’s overall health.”

A basic dental checkup and medical history may indicate symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes or other health concerns a patient may not even be aware of. If such symptoms are detected during the exam, patients will be referred to their doctor.