Free clinic to operate in East Bend this weekend

Remote Area Medical will be hosting a free pop-up clinic offering dental, vision and medical services just across the Yadkin County line in East Bend for two days this weekend, June 1-2.

All services are free, no ID required and on a first-come, first-served basis the group said adding that on Sunday, the clinic services are on abbreviated schedule — patients are advised to arrive early that day.

Remote Area Medical is a nonprofit provider of medical, dental, and vision to those in need and will be set up at Forbush Middle School at 1431 Falcon Road, East Bend. The clinic is in collaboration with Impact Yadkin.

The group said that the patient parking lot will open by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 31, and will remain open for the duration of the clinic. Once in the parking lot, additional information regarding clinic-opening processes and next steps will be provided. Clinic doors will open at 6 a.m.

Due to time constraints, Remote Area Medical officials have said patients need to be prepared to choose between dental and vision services; medical services are offered in addition to dental or vision and are free for every patient attending the clinic.

Dental services available at the clinic include cleanings, fillings, extractions, and X-rays. Eye care services will include eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, and eyeglasses made on-site. General medical exams as well as women’s health exams will be offered as well.

Officials with the agency encourage everyone who would like services, especially dental services, to arrive as early as possible. They directed potential patients who may want more information to visit the Facebook Event for the clinic at https://fb.me/e/1ID0OBOKj.

The group’s mission is delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical services to individuals in need who do not have access to, or cannot afford, a doctor. Founded in 1985, Remote Area Medical has treated more than 940,000 individuals with $200.2 million worth of free healthcare services through 2023, according to the organization. More than 212,000 volunteers — comprised of licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals, and general support staff have supported their clinical mission.

The agency was initially founded to serve as a provider of free medical care in remote areas of developing countries, such as Guyana, Mexico and Haiti. Almost immediately after beginning operations, the group began receiving requests to operate domestic clinics as well.

In 2022 the group saw almost 22,000 patients providing $7.945 million in free care and utilizing the services of 13,913 volunteers. Officials said the average value of care provided to each individual since 2016 is $305.