National nonprofit Remote Area Medical will operate a free, comprehensive health care clinic at Jasper Elementary School on Oct. 12-13. Identification and proof of insurance aren’t required to access its medical, dental or vision services.
Brad Sands, a clinic coordinator, said in a phone interview that Remote Area Medical exists to fill a gap in care.
“You have patients that maybe they’ve not been to the dentist in several years,” he said. “They’ve walked around with tooth pain because they can’t get access to what they need, or maybe they can’t afford it. Perhaps they broke glasses several years ago, and they’ve just not been able to see anything.”
Sands said the pop-up clinic will offer general medical exams, including primary care physicals, eye exams and women’s health services like Pap smears. Physicians will write prescriptions and make glasses for patients in need, while dental fillings, extractions, X-rays and hygiene cleanings are also available.