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The Next Western MD Mission of Mercy will be a
Mini-MOM project OCT 23-24, 2015
This smaller project is by Appointment only.
See below how this mini-project differs from past MOM projects. |
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MINI-MOM Project Important Facts:
- Only open to Adults ages 18 or older. Target patient base will be from the Tri-State Area: Allegany (MD), Garrett (MD), Mineral (WV), and Bedford (PA) Counties.
- By Appointment only. Those wishing to make an appointment at the clinic may call 301-784-7094 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13th, Wednesday, October 14th, and Thursday, October 15th. The phone number for appointments will be activated on Tuesday, October 13th, and will be disconnected by Friday, October 16th. Phone lines go live on October 13th starting at 8:30am and appointments are first call first assigned. When calling in specify if you want a cleaning OR dental work such as fillings or extractions.
- The 2015 Mini-MOM project will have 20 dental chairs for fillings, extractions, cleanings, and some minor denture repair. Only your most pressing need will be addressed.
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What is the Western Maryland Mission of Mercy?
The Western Maryland Mission of Mercy is a two day free dental clinic that provides free services to people who could not otherwise afford dental care. Our clinics are made possible through a community partnership of Allegany-Garrett Dental Society, Allegany Health Right, County United Way, Western MD AHEC, County Health Departments, and Western Maryland Health Systems. At our first clinic in 2010, we served 810 people from 7 states and 23 counties. We provided $700,000 in free oral-health care. In 2011, we served 840 patients despite snow on day 2, and provided over $710,000 in free services. In 2013, we provided $600,000 in free services to around 700 patients.
After three successful MOM projects, the 2014 Department of Defense Health clinic, engaging Western Maryland Health Systems Emergency Department and expanding our adult dental safety net, we have reduced dental emergency rooms visits by 24%. To continue to support adult dental care needs, we are holding a 20 chair mini-MOM clinic in 2015 with a goal of serving 380 patients over two days. The clinic will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY.
A little history
The Mission of Mercy program was started by Dr. Terry Dickenson, Executive Director of the Virginia Dental Association in 2000. The project has grown tremendously. Mission of Mercy free dental clinics are now held in several states across the country.
Try to visualize the typical Mission of Mercy (MOM) patient. Usually the first thing that comes to mind is a homeless person, someone on government assistance, or a drug addict unable to get needed dental care for obvious reasons. However, that first mental picture can't be any further from the truth. The people out there in need include the average person mingling and socializing among us. They are friends, coworkers, people we interact with on a daily basis. They could be your grandparent, mother, father, sibling, or any other relative. With the tough economic times we are in, it could be anyone. It could be you. More than 100 million people in the United States are without dental insurance.
The Western Maryland Tri-State area is one in which the oral health need has been immense. Allegany County leads the state of Maryland in natural tooth loss. More than 20% of our population is considered to be in poverty. More than 15% of people have not been to a dentist in 5+ years. And conditions in nearby West Virginia are even worse. We are committed to improving the oral health in our area through a variety of means. These weekend dental clinics provide not only needed dental care to the individuals served but also hope and important access to care information.
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