TEXARKANA, Ark. - The Arkansas Baptist State Convention hosted a free dental clinic Saturday at Highland Park Baptist Church in Texarkana.
This was the first time the group had come to Texarkana, and it was open to anyone, including residents outside of Arkansas.
The one-day mission allows volunteers to use their talents to help those in need, pray for them, and offer resources that many in the community are unaware of.
“We focus on meeting the physical needs of the patient along with the spiritual needs,” said medical and dental state coordinator Jennifer Albritton. “so they are prayed with and are asked if they’ve got any needs and we work hard to meet all their needs, whether its medical, dental or spiritual.”
The clinics have seen homeless patients, and the mission tries to find them a place to stay. It also helps patients find resources to help them find ongoing medical services locally that work on a sliding-scale basis.
Albritton reported that 105 patients were served by 2 p.m., and about half of the walk-ins received dental extractions, and the other half received dental cleanings.
A medical doctor was also available to see minor medical issues, give antibiotics if needed, supply needed medications, and provide discharge instructions.
The funds for the clinic come from the Dixie Jackson Missions through the Arkansas State Convention, which provides a partnership with a local church and buys the equipment and supplies.
The free dental clinics are offered on Saturdays, and services start at 8 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here to view the 2025 Arkansas Baptist Convention Free Dental Clinic schedule.
