Not taking care of your teeth can come back to bite you. A newly released statewide report finds 60 percent of Nebraska third graders surveyed had dental disease.

Seventeen percent of those surveyed had untreated dental decay and the numbers are much higher for families without insurance or who are otherwise unable to pay bills.

Sidney Knipe is a nine-year-old who just made his first visit to the dentist.

Sidney's father, Tom Knipe says, "The one thing we always put aside is the dentist. I haven't been able to afford it."

Dr. Amy Chadwell changed that. For every new patient she had in February, she decided to see a child in need for free.

A dental hygienist cleans teeth and then Dr. Chadwell fixes the problems. While children wait, they get toothbrushes and they learn the right way to brush.

Dr. Chadwell will see 36 patients, a fraction of those in need.

Kelly Gould, with Hope Medical Outreach Coalition says, "There are many children and many adults living with toothaches, staying up at night, who can't eat properly because it's difficult to get to the dentist and get the need taken care of."

Sidney Knipe needs a lot of work. Dr. Chadwell did a mini root canal, filled cavities and applied a sealant but, like many patients, Sidney needs even more done.

Dr. Chadwell says, "It's really sad because I'm trying to do what I can today but, you know, there's only a few leaving who are completely done. There is still decay; they still need treatment; they still need to come back and see a dentist again."

Dr. Chadwell closed her practice to see patients and she plans to do it again to get all of them in. She's one of approximately 35 dental providers volunteering their services to Hope Medical Outreach Coalition.