Hello! I am actually in the dental profession as a hygienist; although I am now on disability from spinal surgeries.Still, I know quite a lot about this profession! I've come across people in the same situation you have described many, many times during my 25 years in dentistry. Unfortunately, it is too rare that we see dentists take a weekend to do free dental work in their communities but it DOES happen! Here are my suggestions: Call your local dental society chapter, or find them on the American Dental Association website. Ask if anyone can tell you if any of he dentists do free weekend work programs. If you find one, it will be on a first come, first serve basis so get there EARLY! G. Next, one of the BEST secrets in the dental field are the schools. Dental Students and even hygienists need REAL patients to work on. There IS a small fee but VERY MINIMAL. ie. it would probably cost $25 or so to get your teeth cleaned at a hygiene school! (it cost $5 back when I was in school!) At dental schools, you can get root canals, crowns, ANYTHING you need! The cost depends on how much work you need to have done BUT again, much less than you would pay in a private practice. The downside? You may be in the chair for a while due to students are slower, of course, and must get their work checked before they move on. In other words, say you go in for a crown (a cap) the student has to prep the tooth, when he/she is done, she has an instructor come over to check to make sure it is done right...then they move on. This is part of what you have to sacrifice for getting the work done so cheaply. But it is EXCELLENT work! Remember, the students are graded on their performance - how good their work is. So ou will get a FINE looking crown for half the price, at least! Those are my recommendations. IF your friend is really serious about wanting to het her teeth restored, she will do ANHTHING; sitting in a chair is not a lot to ask, if you ask ME!
Good Luck! I'm sure that there are some dental schools not too far from where she lives!
