The Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County is looking for a few more hands to help with its patients.
The clinic is seeking dental workers to help out in its newly-opening clinic, according to board member Betty Mallernee.
"The [Good Shepherd Clinic] is a member of the Georgia Charitable Care Network and is staffed solely by volunteers," Mallernee said. "The clinic is actively seeking hygienists and trained dental assistants to volunteer their services a half-day per month."
The clinic, which operates out of its Dawson Commons office, provides free, non-emergency medical care for adults who live, work or go to school in Dawson County and fall at 200 percent or below the federal guidelines for poverty.
The new dental clinic was announced in October.
The clinic is also a great way for dental workers to stay in practice, according to Mallernee.
"Continuing Education credits for maintaining professional licensure are available to volunteers who work in charitable facilities such as Good Shepherd Clinic," she said. "Retired hygienists and assistants are welcome. Several dentists have volunteered their services, but additional dentist volunteers are needed."
The clinic is headed by Donald Johnson, a retired Atlanta dentist who now resides in Dahlonega. Johnson has been overseeing the construction and equipment for the new dental clinic and will manage clinical operations and staffing.
"We're excited to meet the tremendous amount of need for dental care this county has," Johnson said. "Most insurance programs don't cover extensive dental work, so we know what the need is and we want to meet it."
The dental clinic will, however, require the same guidelines as the medical clinic for treatment.
"Anybody that comes in, we will render the care to the best of our extent," Johnson said. "We cover emergency care and we get people out of pain, but we don't do crowns or bridges or things like that."
Hygienists, assistants and dentists who are interested in volunteering their services can contact Mallernee at (706) 216-7025.
The Good Shepherd Clinic is located in Dawson Commons on Hwy. 53 East.