BRIGHTON — The doors to a free dental clinic in Brighton opened at 5:00 this morning to a throng of anxious people.The first person in line was Robin Kelley, 59, of Westminster, who got in line at 5 p.m.
"We only have one car," she explained, "and my husband works at night, so he dropped me off."
Like others in line, she had a blanket and camped out on the sidewalk. "The company was warm and great," she said.
At 6:15 organizers ended the line at 808 people, because they felt that was the number of patients that could be seen today. Those who arrived later were turned away, and told that the clinic would also be open Saturday.
John Smits, 47, of Adams County, showed up after the tickets had already been handed out but just as someone standing in line discovered he had two tickets stuck together.
When a volunteer handed Smits the extra ticket, he broke down and sobbed.
"You don't know what I've been through to get here," he said, explaining he got a speeding ticket on the way to the clinic.
"I'm not working and I haven't had dental care for a long time so I'm really excited about this," he said.
Dentist Bob Morrow of Walsh, who helped evaluate patients, said he saw "lots of decay and pain."
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