In a bid to address the growing need for affordable dental care in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) has partnered with Red Square Dental and Orthodontics in Edinburg. This collaboration aims to offer treatments at a lower cost to patients, particularly those with diabetes, who often face barriers to accessing necessary dental care.
One of the critical issues preventing some individuals from receiving life-saving organ transplants is their inability to meet dental clearance requirements. Before being added to a transplant list, patients must undergo tests including blood work, psychological evaluations, and dental clearances. Unfortunately, many diabetic patients in the region struggle with dental issues that prevent them from obtaining this clearance, especially if they lack insurance or the funds to cover treatments.
Pedro Salazar, CEO of Red Square Dental and Orthodontics, emphasized the importance of this partnership to meet the needs of the area’s high population of diabetic individuals. “These patients aren’t always insured, and even when they’re insured, sometimes they can’t afford the treatment,” Salazar said. “For us, it was important to partner with a group like TSTC that can help them receive the care they need so they can ultimately get on a transplant list to save their lives.”
Through this collaboration, patients can receive the dental care necessary for transplant eligibility, speeding up the process of getting on the transplant list. TSTC students, including second-year hygiene student Kaitlyn Mata, gain hands-on clinical experience through the program, performing cleanings and other treatments. Mata shared her enthusiasm, stating, “It’s an amazing experience, and I know I’ve always wanted to have a community-type experience.”
The program is a crucial step toward addressing the region’s unmet dental care needs, especially for vulnerable populations. TSTC instructors work closely with students to provide them with both the technical skills and the community-focused mindset needed to make a real difference in patients’ lives. By helping to clear dental hurdles for transplant patients, this partnership is playing a vital role in improving both oral health and overall well-being in the community.
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