GALLERY: Dental clinic lines closed for today

UPDATE: Officials from the Mission of Mercy announced just after 9 a.m. today that the patient line for today's free dental clinic at the U.S. Cellular Center has been closed for today due to "overwhelming" response.

"When the clinic open this morning at 7 a.m. there were more than 800 people from across the state already waiting in line," said a Mission of Mercy news release. "We estimate close to 1,000 people will be treated today.   After the clinic closes at 5 p.m., the line may begin forming for tomorrow."

Hundreds of volunteers geared up to provide free dental care starting this morning in Cedar Rapids.

And patients lined up early to take advantage of the unique offer.

The Iowa Mission of Mercy group has sponsored mass free dental clinics twice before in Iowa. And they're expecting somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 patients here today and tomorrow.

The care is no cost, but it is first come, first served, so the people at the front of the line got here yesterday afternoon. Some drove hundreds of miles to take advantage of the free treatment offered. As of 7:45 a.m., the line was an estimated 750 feet long, stretching through the U.S. Cellular Center's skywalk and into the neighboring parking garage.

There is no pre-registration needed and no real eligibility requirements to get the free dental treatment.

The clinic is open from seven in the morning until five at night both today and tomorrow at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids.

GALLERY: Free Cedar Rapids dental clinic

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