Free Dental and Vision Clinic

A free dental and vision clinic is being held Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, at the Dynasty Hall Convention Center, 4125 Calumet Ave, Hammond, Ind. The event runs from 8 am to 5 p.m. Dentists, dental hygienists, eye doctors and opticians are needed to volunteer for this event. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Doranita Tyler at tylerdoranita@gmail or call her at 219-501-0627.

The Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Northwest Indiana with the help and support of the City of Hammond Community Development Department, and Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. are planning this community event.

At last year’s event, over 100 volunteers joined forces to provide free dental, vision and medical services. The free dental services included 94 dental exams, 95 x-rays, 64 teeth cleanings, 27 teeth extracted, 12 fillings placed for a total value of donated services of $30,850. The vision services included 40 eye exams and 34 pairs of glasses were made. In addition, five people were informed of very serious eye problems that were discovered during their exam. They were given referrals to specialists, an additional free service. The value of the vision services was $15,500. The total value of services for both dental and vision was $46,350.

Under the guidance and passion of Dr. Randy Griffin, D.D.S., and his wife Kathy, the Dynasty Banquet Facility located in North Hammond was transformed into a pop-up clinic. Dr. Griffin is the director of Adventist Community Health, Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Griffin coordinates the resources and expertise needed to enable churches to offer medical care to their communities. This year’s event will provide local residents free services that included dental x-rays, cleanings, filings, extractions, medical screening, eye exams with written prescription and eye glasses, if needed.

Nalan Turan is a dental hygienist associated with the Dental Hygienist Seattle Study Club of NW Indiana and was a volunteer at last year’s event. “I was thrilled to participate as a first-time volunteer for this type of event. It was like a M.A.S.H. triage episode. Many people came and we did our best in taking care of their needs,” said Turan.

Dr. Griffin, who has conducted similar events across the United States and other countries, commented this event was a success - “great venue, great group to work with”. He looks forward to bringing this event back again this year.