All those responsible for Friday’s free dental clinic deserve a hearty round of applause.

About 50 dentists, hygienists and other volunteers staffed the special event at the Douglas County Dental Clinic, examining and providing free dental care to 60 uninsured people. The need was clear. The line started forming at 4 a.m. and the 60-person quota was met by 8 a.m. The event was a joint effort of the dental clinic and Health Care Access, both of which serve people without health insurance day in and day out.

There are a number of high-profile organizations that send medical and dental personnel to other countries to provide care, but it’s important to remember there also are many people right here in Douglas County who are without health insurance and can’t afford proper care.

Kudos to the local organizations who work to provide that care every day and to those volunteers who gave that effort an extra boost at Friday’s event.