Operation Lone Star: Students aid Hidalgo County

The need for medical and dental care in South Texas is great. According to area news reports, just five minutes after doors opened on July 27, Operation Lone Star hit capacity for its dental and vision services provided for free on a first-come, first-served basis at La Joya Palmview High School. And that was after opening early as compared to years past, mainly for safety reasons because of the predicted high of 103 degrees.

Located in Hidalgo County, the high school is one of two locations where residents can receive dental care during the weeklong event, coordinated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Among the hundreds of civilian volunteers assisting Texas county and state health professionals and military personnel are students and faculty from Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry. While the demand for dental and medical care is obvious based on Monday’s turnout, here’s a look at some of the comprehensive needs of this community on the southern tip of Texas.