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Jake was desperate to regain confidence in his appearance, but after getting a $1,300 quote to fix his chipped front tooth, he knew he needed to find another option. Thankfully, he had just seen a TikTok video in which the creator mentioned the free RAM Clinic in Colorado Springs.
“I was just going on TikTok, and that’s how I found out about here,” Jake said, gesturing to the clinic. “I looked into this website, for RAM, and noticed they could fix it and so I was like ‘Oh, I gotta show up.’”
For Jake and millions of others, having dental and health insurance is not always enough to guarantee access to care. Co-pays, taking time off work, distance to care, and other factors often stand in the way of getting care.
Nearly 50% of RAM patients report having some kind of insurance, but they still need to attend our clinics for free care. Every year, for tens of thousands of people, RAM provides access to healthcare they may otherwise go without.
Though this was RAM’s second clinic in Colorado, it was our first in Colorado Springs. For many patients there, it was their first time hearing about RAM. As we begin to hold clinics in new locations, we are spreading the word throughout the country that free healthcare is available at RAM Clinics for those who need it.
First Time at a RAM Clinic
Like most of the patients there, Jake was attending a RAM Clinic for the first time. At 12:45 p.m. Friday, Jake was the first person in the patient parking lot. He not only waited overnight but also endured an unexpected storm that flipped some of the equipment in the parking lot.
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As the first person to arrive, he watched patients pull into the clinic parking lot throughout the night, even forming friendships with a few others who arrived early Friday. It’s something that is not uncommon in the parking lots of RAM Clinics across the country.
Though he only lived about 20 minutes from the clinic, he wanted to make sure he was first in line and able to get the dental care he wanted so desperately.
Free Dental Care That Helps Boost Confidence
The chip in one of Jake’s front teeth was weighing on his confidence, making the repair his biggest priority. This was the third time he’d had the tooth repaired. Though he doesn’t remember how the tooth was originally chipped, he knew one thing: After four months, he was ready to have his smile back.
“The chip just got to me every time I looked at it. I needed to get it fixed,” Jake said.
Jake smiled, showing off the newly repaired tooth, saying he’d almost forgotten which tooth was chipped before seeing Dr. Bob.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to Jake. He sees his dentist every six months for a cleaning and has cut back on the amount of coffee he drinks, though he hasn’t quite given it up completely, to help keep his teeth healthy.
As Dr. Bob, a RAM volunteer dentist, fixed Jake’s tooth and performed a cleaning, he also took time to explain the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. The care Jake received at the clinic exceeded his expectations based on previous experiences with dentists.
“[Dr. Bob] was very informational. He took his time,” Jake shared.
Free Medical Care at a RAM Clinic
After turning 30, Jake has begun prioritizing his health and trying to see healthcare professionals about his concerns sooner rather than later. He was able to talk to RAM’s volunteer medical providers about some of his health concerns, including persisting sinus issues and pain in his foot, the other reasons he attended the free clinic.
Though Jake has health insurance, the plan is not offered through his full-time job; he pays for it completely on his own. Unfortunately, the plan doesn’t guarantee him consistent access to healthcare.
Jake said free clinics like RAM are great for the community, because they allow him and others to access care they may otherwise go without. The clinic in Colorado Springs provided free medical care to more than 170 patients throughout the weekend, including general wellness exams, back-to-school physicals, women’s health exams, and more.
A Vision Exam That Could Lead to a Promotion
For Jake, a vision exam wasn’t just about finding out whether he needed glasses and checking the health of his eyes; it could also help him get a promotion at work.
To become forklift certified at his job, Jake needed to prove that his distance vision met the company’s requirements, something he was able to do after getting a new pair of glasses made for free at the RAM Clinic.
Not only did Jake receive new glasses that could help in his professional life, but he also received his first comprehensive eye exam in many years. As RAM Volunteer Dr. Campaign told Jake and other patients throughout the clinic, annual eye exams are important for catching early signs and symptoms of serious eye conditions like glaucoma.
A Well-Rounded Healthcare Experience
After a few hours at the RAM Clinic in Colorado Springs, Jake left with renewed confidence in his smile, relief from the pain in his foot, and a new pair of glasses that show off his sense of style and could help him get ahead at work.
Jake was one of nearly 300 patients who received free, quality healthcare at the Colorado Springs RAM Clinic. Meet Sylvia, an Olympic Bronze medalist who was also a patient at this clinic.
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