MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Marine Corps and Navy volunteers offered helping hands to San Diego's homeless veterans July 12-14.
Armed with two fully equipped dental vans and the efforts of more than 100 volunteers from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego's dental clinic and other clinics from Naval Dental Center, Southwest, provided free exams and basic dental care during the 15th annual Operation Stand Down at San Diego High School. More than 1,800 volunteers and 700 veterans attending the three-day event.
"Dental participates in this event to provide a service to those that have served before us," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberly Little, dental technician, MCRD Dental Clinic. "It's always good to give back. One day we will be veterans ourselves."
In addition to providing oral hygiene products, including toothbrushes and mouthwash, the dental officers and technicians treated problems ranging from toothaches and infections to broken teeth.
The most common conditions the depot's dental personnel dealt with during the Stand Down were caused by lack of oral hygiene or regular visits to the dentists, according to Little.
"We saw plenty of broken down teeth that needed to be extracted," she added.
Providing complete dental services outside of the Depot dental clinic was made possible by using mobile dental vans that are fully functional dental clinics. Each contains two dental chairs, an x-ray machine, compressors and running water allowing treatment to be provided in a safe and efficient manner.
"The veterans were so happy to receive treatment from us," Little said. "We also provided them with hygiene instructions and referred them to places where they could go for further help."
Originally founded in San Diego, there are now more than 80 Stand Downs around the country. From the very first Stand Down in 1988, the recurring theme has been "a hand up, not a hand out."
This refers to a community-based intervention program that includes the help of thousands of volunteers and organizations that work to provide the country's 275,000 homeless veterans with necessities including, medical and dental care, clothing, food, job counseling and legal assistance.