Oconee hospital opens first free dental clinic

The first hospital-based free, dental clinic in South Carolina has opened on the fourth floor of the Outpatient Building at the Oconee Medical Center. The cutting of a ribbon Friday signaled the start for a clinic to serve low income, under-insured adults in Oconee and the greater Clemson area. The Oconee
Emergency Department is often thought of the place to go for heart trouble, snake bites, traffic accident injuries, shootings, cuttings and the like, but it actually sees many patients for dental emergencies. That started a vision by OMC officials to create a dental clinic. And, with volunteer dentists and a grant from the insurer Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the clinic is up and running. If you need an appointment, and qualify for the free care, call 885-7341 or by come by the office of OMC Mountain Lakes Access Health and pick up a packet of qualifying information.