BRUNSWICK — The Oasis Dental Clinic, a part of the Oasis Health Network, completed a record breaking year in 2012 with 177 patient visits to its twice monthly free dental clinic.

According to a news release, almost 60 new patients were added to the clinic’s established 118 patients during the year, emphasizing the continuing needs of the area’s low income/uninsured for dental services. More than 470 hours of volunteer services were provided by the clinic’s staff of area dentists, oral surgeons, dental assistants and dental hygienists.

Dental procedures provided included oral evaluation, routine fillings, extractions, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics (including oral hygiene and flouride treatments) and restorations. The total value of these services totaled almost $125,000, and exceeded budget estimates by more than $8,000.

The Oasis Dental Clinic began in 2006 in response to the needs of the community’s uninsured as demonstrated by the number of hospital emergency room visits for dental issues. The clinic now schedules two Tuesday evening clinics a month at the Jesse Albert Memorial Dental Center in Bath. Each clinic schedules an average of eight patients.

Additionally, two oral surgery clinics are scheduled per year. The clinic spaces are provided courtesy of Catholic Charities Maine, which funds the Jesse Albert center.

According to dentist Frederick Elsaesser, a member of the Oasis Dental Clinic Steering Committee and also the Oasis board of directors, “The emergency dental needs of the Midcoast area continues to be a real problem. Last year, our local hospitals had over 700 emergency room visits for dental-related emergencies. The Oasis Health Network continues to be committed to finding solutions to help address this problem. And the Oasis Dental Clinic is committed to assisting as many as possible of our area residents in need of dental services.”

¦ APPOINTMENTS FOR the Oasis Dental Clinic are made through the Oasis Health Network office at 66 Baribeau Drive in Brunswick. The telephone number is 721-9277.

¦ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for patients include no dental insurance coverage, not Medicare/Medicaid eligible, and an income level formula. Those interested should call to determine eligibility.