‘Clinic with a Heart’ providing free dental care for past 34 years

The Saipan Seventh-day Adventist Clinic has been doing the annual health fair of providing free dental care since 1990, creating a continuous impact to the CNMI communities for the past 34 years.

Dubbed as “Clinic with a Heart,” the program for adults without insurance brought individuals 19 years old and above queueing under the tent set up in front of the SDA Clinic every Sunday of memorial weekend. Patients are eagerly waiting for the 7:30am opening of the clinic doors. They have only one goal—to avail of the free dental services provided to those who do not have dental insurance.

May 26, 2024 was not an exception. Adult patients came at early dawn. Marites Calica, whose name was first on the list, reported that she arrived before 2am. “I want to be sure to get a guaranteed slot,” Calica said.

This year’s free services offered extraction, filling, prophylaxis (dental cleaning), limited x-ray, oral exam/cancer screening and dental kits. Fifty-six patients received treatments. Those whose blood pressure considered high received personal guidance on stress management and offered with prayers.

Levita Manansala appreciated the services she received from SDA Clinic for several years. “The clinic helps me keep my teeth clean without a cost,” she stated with a grin on her face. Manansala does not have dental insurance for 30 years now. A mother who did not want to publish her name shared the same positive impressions. “I do not have dental insurance so I am here today but I always bring my children to this clinic for their dental health needs,” the mother of three kids said. All her children have insurance plans that cover dental care. “I have great admiration of the quality service the Saipan SDA Clinic offers to their patients,” she added.

Sharon Long, registered dental hygienist, finds it gratifying to be able to provide service to patients who have no other means to access treatment. According to Long, the free dental program enables the SDA Clinic “to address patients’ dental needs so they are able to continue their lives with less pain, stress and concerns.” “Helping them to achieve clean and healthy smiles may impact their financial future by increasing their self-confidence which may lead to a new job or a promotion,” Long added.

SDA Clinic staff who served during the outreach offered their time free but always with a joyful spirt. “It was truly precious and fulfilling to see the smiles and expressions of gratitude from the patients,” according to Dr. Oh Ock Kwon, general dentist. “I want to help more people,” she added. Such passion is resonated by the student volunteers. “It was my first time doing something like this but I found that volunteering at the free clinic was fun,” said John Song, an 11th grade student from Marianas High School. “I felt like I was doing something meaningful and I hope I can help next time,” Song added. Robin Maclang echoed the sentiments of his classmate. “The free clinic was a great way to give back to the community,” Maclang stated. Four other volunteer students who assisted in the free clinic have been coming to the clinic to shadow our dentists after their class hours. Dental shadowing is a service the Clinic gives to the young minds of the community, providing them experience that has a crucial part of their decision to become a dentist someday.

That Sunday, about 80 individuals waited in line but no one was dismissed empty-handed. Each one who came received an oral kit and a clinic pen, served with cold bottle of water and healthy snack bars, putting a smile of appreciation even to those who were not able to receive the care they sought.

Held on Saipan twice a year for those without dental insurance (“Give Kids a Smile for children in February and “Clinic with a Heart” for adults in May), the Saipan SDA’s free dental outreach programs has extended to Tinian and Rota annually.

The annual free dental services it offers to the communities is one way to fulfill the Saipan SDA Clinic’s mission to provide excellent dental care, health education, and outreach programs in order to extend the healing ministry of Christ in the CNMI. (PR) Jocelyn B. Sonsona, PhD is the office manager of Saipan Seventh-day Adventist Clinic.