Teresa Miller has been unable to afford a dentist visit for five years.

But on Saturday, the 39-year-old woman was able to have her teeth cleaned and one tooth pulled at a free dental clinic for homeless women and children.

The services were offered in a mobile dental van at the Center of Hope shelter on Spratt Street in Charlotte.

"I thank God for this," Miller said. "I am homeless, and I don't have the money to see a dentist."

The clinic was implemented by Shelter Health Services, a partner of the Center of Hope, a Salvation Army emergency shelter for women and children that offers 24/7, year-round assistance. Ada Jenkins, an organization that aids those who face illness, job loss or other life-altering situations, provided the dental van.

At the event, Landmark Dentistry in Matthews provided two dentists, two dental assistants and two dental hygienists to operate the clinic. The dentist's office said it hopes to staff the van on a quarterly basis for the next year.

On Saturday, the medical staff served 13 women and two children, providing an estimated $8,000 in services at no cost to the clients or the clinic, said Michael Sowyak, executive director of Shelter Health Services.

"I am here because I want to give back to the community," said Dr. Mark Tripp of Landmark Dentistry. "I understand the need of dental care in the community, but we had no idea what to expect."

Because this was the first time operating the mobile dental clinic, Tripp said he expected to see patients in much worse condition, but found many lacked preventative care.

Dentists treated nine fillings, performed 12 cleanings, 12 fluoride treatments and 14 tooth extractions, Sowyak said. Dentists also performed a soft tissue biopsy that may show potential mouth cancer in a patient.

Sowyak said there has been a case at the shelter where a woman pulled her own tooth with a fork while in the cafeteria because it was causing her immense pain. Often the women rely on home remedies to relieve their pain.

Evelyn Williams, a patient at the clinic, said she uses vanilla extract on her toothaches because her mother said it would cure pain. She also prays.

Each year, more than 1,000 women and children pass through the Center of Hope, which often operates at capacity, filling 224 beds, according to the shelter's website. Sowyak said many of the women at the shelter request dental care and he felt a need to make that service available.

In 2010 the Center of Hope admitted more than 5,710 people, including five women over the age of 85, and 27 newborns.

At the shelter, Sowyak said some women do not have Medicaid or insurance to provide health care, yet they are in need of medical services. One service that is very difficult to receive is dental care, he said.

"I think everyone should be offered dental care," said patient Twana Summers, 40. Currently, the dentistry team does not have the resources to provide comprehensive care to patients at the mobile site, but Tripp said that is a need that must be met.

"Right now, this is just putting a Band-Aid on a giant gapping wound," he said.