The opportunity for free dental services, eye exams and glasses, general medical and women’s health services is coming to Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford.
For two days, July 13-14, residents can get entry tickets beginning at 3 a.m. The parking lot at the Pioneer Cellular Events Center will open at midnight July 13. Those with tickets will be seen in order of the ticket numbers, beginning at 6 a.m.
Those who need services, especially dental services, are encouraged to arrive as early as possible.
No identification is required, and services are from Remote Area Medical, a non-profit provider of mobile clinics offering services to underserved or underinsured persons. The clinics are in partnership with the Rural Health Network of Oklahoma.
Services may include dental cleaning, filling, extractions, and x-rays. There will also be eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, glasses made on site, in addition to general health and women’s health exams.
From 8 a.m.-noon, there will be a children’s car seat checkup.
In the event of inclement weather or volunteer cancellation, the ticket distribution times may be adjusted.
According to U.S. census data, two out of every 10 residents younger than 65 has no health insurance. That circumstance drives demand for the free medical care RAM provides.
Last year, RAM provided nearly $300,000 worth of free care to 566 people in Oklahoma.
“People can’t reach their full potential if they are dealing with pain,” said RAM CEO Jeff Eastman. “We have the ability and will to help them, so that’s what we’ll do.”
For more information about RAM’s mobile clinics or to volunteer, visit www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530.