Volunteers give free dental care at the University of Missouri

The Missouri Dental Association gave more than $1 million in free dental care to people in need over the weekend.

Dentists and hygienists volunteered their time to give free cleanings, tooth extractions and even oral surgeries at the Hearnes Center on the University of Missouri campus.

Organizers said they saw more than 800 patients Saturday and more than 1,700 people total.

“You go in to get cleanings, they check to see if you’ve got anything, and when they tell you oh I see three fillings, four fillings, what do you want to do?” Amanda Moeller, one of the patients who received free dental care said. “Yo don’t have the money to pay for all of that. So this is great to know what you need done, and be able to come and get it done all in one day and get it taken care of.”

The group will offer a free clinic again next year in Independence, Missouri.