SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – In a possible sign of the economic times, hundreds of people lined up three hours before the doors even opened at a free Salt Lake City health clinic this morning. The Salt Lake City Junior League sponsors the clinic once a year. It provides health services from a dental clinic to immunizations.
Tomasa Arevalo was in line hours early this morning hoping to get a coveted spot in this dental chair for her two year old daughter. "We know there is going to be a big line."
Dentist Charles walker says this is just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to dental health need in Utah. "We are going to see probably 400 patients these next two days and that's just a small percentage of the people that don't have dental insurance and can't afford regular dental care."
It was not just dental care motivating long lines. Free medical services are also in high demand. Jennifer Kelsey, the President of The Junior League, says it’s convenient, free, and confidential. In fact, they don’t even ask for identification. "This is just a great opportunity for families who may not have health care service to come together in one building and be able to get dental, physicals, vision, hearing, child development”
In some cases, the help found at the health fair is the difference between life and death. “"We have found women who have had a lump in their breast and it ended up being cancerous."
The Junior League is looking for more volunteers to help. Volunteers say they are also looking forward to helping more patients Saturday. The Care Fair clinic is open from 10am to 5pm and is located at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center at 1234 S. Main Street in Salt Lake City.
