Free dental services coming to the Capital Region

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Dental Foundation is joining Hudson Valley Community College, the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA), and St. Peter's Health Partners to bring a free dental services event to the Capital Region for the second year in a row. It will be on October 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the college.

NYSDA dentists and HVCC students will provide free dental screenings, emergent care, treatment diagnosis, pain management guidance, extractions, and more. There will also be a Community Dental Health Coordinator on site to ensure patients have a follow-up care plan.

Only community members over the age of 18 can attend and those interested in attending must schedule an appointment in advance. They can do so by going to the New York State Dental Foundation's website.

Last year's dental clinic brought about 120 people who registered and more than 80 teeth were extracted from 26 patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that one in four adults in the U.S. between the ages 20 and 64 have at least one untreated cavity and more than 40% have gum disease, so this free service event offers people an option to address these issues.