WAIMANALO — More than 500 of Hawai'i's medically underserved residents will receive free health care services, thanks to the Hawai'i and Ohio Air National Guards.

Some 34 Ohio Guard members, including doctors, dentists, nurses and medics, are treating patients in Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaka'ako, Mo'ili'ili, Kalihi and Hale'iwa as part of their training.

The Ohio personnel, from the 178th and 180th Medical Groups, arrived Saturday, began work Monday and will see patients who are underserved or uninsured until July 30.

In the first few days of operation here, an Ohio doctor may have saved a woman's life, said Barry Ko, trip commander with Ohio's 178th Medical Group.The patient, in her 70s, was experiencing rapid heartbeat and an ambulance was called to take her in for emergency care, Ko said. "That could have been life-threatening," he said.

Organized by the Hawai'i Air National Guard and the state Department of Health, the Hawaii Medical Innovative Readiness Training program provides general health, vision, dental and other services to communities. Called E Malama Kakou — to care for all — the program has the flexibility to adapt to various community needs.

The program is paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense and is part of the training dollars the Guard would normally spend to train the medical groups.

Their appointment book is full. By the end of their tour here, they expect to see 500 patients.

Ko said the Guard members are getting as much out of the experience as the people they serve, who he said have been gracious and welcoming.

"When you're doing something that makes a difference, it's very rewarding," he said.

At Waimanalo Health Center, the Guard set up a free dental clinic that's booked for their entire stay. Dentist Anthony Kim, director of the center's dental clinic, said the military dentist and his team are providing checkups, cleaning, fillings and, in at least one case, a root canal.

The National Guard is picking up the cost of supplies along with the services, helping the center meet the needs of people without insurance, Kim said.

"That's a cost we don't have to shoulder," Kim said.

Leah Kalahiki, 20, said she doesn't have dental coverage and knew she had cavities but couldn't afford to fill them. Although she dreaded the idea of getting the work done, she was grateful for the service.

"We're really blessed to have stuff like this, especially when they're looking out for people on this side." Kalahiki said.

Maj. Simon Nguyen, a dentist with the 178th, said the training for his assistants is invaluable since they might not be in the dental field outside the guard.

In the past the Guard has gone to foreign countries to train but doing it in the United States is more meaningful, Nguyen said.

"This is great experience because we're doing it for our own citizens," he said.