The American Association of Endodontists which is also known as AAE provides root-canal treatment to 55 underprivileged patients during the Association’s Access to Care project which was held in conjunction with its recent annual session in San Antonio, Texas. The AAE volunteers were able to get across more than US$80,000 worth of free endodontic treatment to those who could not otherwise have afforded it.

David Phipps, executive director of the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic (SACDC), which hosted the Access to Care project stated that to be able to perform so many root canal procedures in a day was certainly a feat and the happy smiles on the patients said it all. The AAE’s project is not only saving teeth for patients who ordinarily might not have been able to afford this kind of treatment but also cuts short the waiting list by six months from our waiting list.

The SACDC provides charitable dental care to needy persons in keeping with Christian ministry. In 2010 the clinic recorded nearly 38,000 patient visits and provided services and volunteer hours valued at the cost of US$3.2 million. SACDC features 16 state-of-the-art operatories and provides a full range of dental services.

The whole idea is to go ahead and raise awareness of the importance of oral health care and improving access to that care are priorities of the entire dental community and the AAE is honored to help support the work of the SACDC was quoted by Dr Clara M. Spatafore, AAE immediate past president. The patients we treated may have had extractions if we weren’t able to help, but the AAE’s right kind of support enabled them to have their natural teeth taken care of and will now last them for a lifetime.

More than 100 volunteers participated in Access to Care, including 38 endodontists and residents from the University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Texas at Houston and Baylor College of Dentistry. The event also received support and equipment donations from Henry Schein Dental/Henry Schein Cares.

Most of the patients were extremely worried when they came in but by the end of it the pain was gone and they were pleased with the experience.

Nationwide, more than 80 per cent of AAE members are engaged in charitable services within their communities year-round. A recent AAE member survey shows that endodontist provide an average of 10 free root canals each year. This is one good way of providing community service.