Q. What is a “Mission of Mercy” (MOM)?
It is a gathering of volunteer dental professionals who, along with a volunteer staff of several hundred other volunteers, hold free, two-day dental clinics at locations around the country.
Q. When did MOM begin?
In July 2000, the Virginia Dental Health Foundation launched the Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project. The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in conjunction with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Health Care Foundation formed a partnership to provide dental care for the uninsured and underserved populations of Virginia. Since then thousands of patients in a growing number of states have been served. Virginia and Texas run multiple events each year. Cumberland was the site for the first Maryland MOM, held on October 29-30, 2010.
Q. What is a MOM event like?
Every event takes on its own personality, however there are some common traits:
- Over 100 volunteer dental professionals
- Lines of patients forming very early in the morning
- All services provided on a first come first serve basis
- Doors open at 7:00 AM and close normally a few hours later as the facility fills up with patients.
- About 600 patients a day will be treated
Q. What is the cost?
There is no cost to the patient, no insurance form, nothing. It is free.
Q. Who pays for everything?
The dental organizations of the state where the event is held raise private donations to cover the entire cost of the event. Donations may come in the form of funds, supplies, donated meals and/or snacks, tables and chairs, badges, forms, and a variety of other support items. Please consider making a donation.
Q. What services are provided?
This may vary slightly but cleanings, fillings, extractions, some oral surgery, root canals (at some locations), and oral hygiene education.
Q. Who is eligible to be treated?
Anyone and everyone, 19 years old or older. There are no restrictions unless a patient can’t be treated for medical reasons.
Q. What if the patient needs pain medication or antibiotics?
There is always a pharmacy at the event to dispense free pain medications and antibiotics as prescribed by the treating dentist.
Q. What if a patient needs additional treatment?
To assure that all patients have follow-up access, arrangements are made with local dentists to care for those individuals, if necessary.
Q. What is the role of the America’s Dentists Care Foundation?
The America’s Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing and maintaining all the equipment necessary to put on a “MOM” event. In addition, they provide the methods for organizing the volunteers necessary to treat 2,000 patients over a two-day span and the expertise to organize, set-up, run, and tear-down the event.
Q. Will parents/guardians of young children be allowed to bring their children?
No. This clinic does not have any child dental services, nor day-care support. If you show up with children, you will not be allowed to enter the building. This is an insurance and liability issue over which we have no control.