Areas of Focus: Disease prevention and treatment, Maternal and child health
Dental decay disease is rampant in Eastern North Carolina among children & adults. Poor dental hygiene and unresolved dental issues can be directly attributable to other medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatoid inflammatory diseases. The ability to seek and receive dental attention can also be viewed as preventive medical care. 1 in 4 of our children lives in poverty. 27% of NC's children (4th highest in the nation) live with food insecurity. Regular dental care is often unobtainable because of economic status or lack of dentists. The Currituck Rotary Club Is seeking funds to sustain the operation of the only free dental clinic within 500 miles that is in operation year around. During the past year the clinic provided free dental service to over 1,000 patients from ten counties in Eastern NC. The annual operating budget is $35,000 a year. All professional services are donated. Patients do not have to qualify based on family income. They are asked to make a donation, if possible, but it is not a requirement to receive dental care. There is a waiting list of over 300 at any time. All the dental equipment is up-to-date, services are computerized and housed in a 10 by 30 foot customized trailer originally purchased by Dr Ed Houser, principle dentist, and currently president of the Currituck Rotary Club. The project has been in operation since 2012. Future sustainability and accountability are made possible because the clinic director/dentist and several board members are members of the Currituck Rotary Club..
