This year, to ensure she would be included in the first 100 patients, Dimalanta said she came to the clinic at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday along with her neighbor and a family of three.
She told Variety she waited near the parking area of the clinic.
By 5 a.m., patients had already swelled and filled the area, she said.
Dimalanta made up a list of patients based on the time of their arrival.
By 5 a.m. the list already contained 120 names, she said.
“I gave the list to the clinic and they acknowledged it,” she said.
Dimalanta said she was very grateful for the free dental care and is hoping that other dental clinics will follow suit to benefit community members without dental insurance.
Dr. Kenneth D. Pierson, SDA Clinic director, said all their five dentists, three dental hygienists and other personnel provided free services on Sunday.
As of 10 a.m., of the 235 patients who had registered, only 24 had been attended to while the others were still waiting for their turn.
Lori Serna, one of the clinic’s registered dental hygienists, said they gave patients brochures about the right way to take care about their teeth as well as the importance of good eating habits and tooth decay prevention.
The clinic also gave each patient a free toothbrush.
On Guam, Serna said the SDA Clinic also initiated free dental care services and soon other clinics offered free services, too.
She is urging other dental clinics on Saipan to provide free dental services so many community members can avail of them.
The five dentists who provided free services were Pierson, Dr. William J. B. Shearer, Dr. Sarah-Jane Harebottle Shearer, Dr. Crystal A. Edmister and Dr. Carita A. Berglund.
The dental hygienists were Serna, Maria J. S. Agulto and Stacy R. Stroup.
Pierson thanked the clinic staff and personnel who volunteered: Cyji Cepeda, Antonee Aguilar, Bianca Espinosa, Denis Chapla, Gina Mercado, Atsuko Eck, Cely Torres, Lovely Lopez, Timmy James, Imee Fernandez, Frank Diesta and Jho Lacorte.
