From patients

Excerpts from Mission of Mercy patients’ comments, in their own words.

"The dates of June 25th and 26th will go down in the minds of a chosen few as the day they stopped frowning and started smiling from ear to ear once again, thus giving society a shot of true confidence in these times, that humanity and kindness still live." Click here to read the full letter.

"I really appreciate the services you're providing to those in need, including myself. Life is a struggle in every way and knowing that there are organizations that can make a difference really shows the true kindness and generosity of volunteers, aids, docs, nurses, etc."

-Shannon

"I think this is such an important and generous offering of time, money and materials! It's important because of the need (severe need) for dental care for low-income families."

-Kenya

"It's very cool that such a great number of professionals would volunteer their time to help people with an important area of their life. There is no amount of thanks I could share with you on this card. Thank you very much. The organization was exceptional."

-Dave

"Everything is run very smoothly - this program is a miracle. I moved to Tomah in 1991 with no dental insurance and 4 children. I made sure my children saw the dentist once a year, however the buck stopped there at the children - the parents - my husband and I never saw the dentist except in an emergency. I recently went to the dentist to see if I could get my teeth fixed. I was told it would cost $4,700. I said thank you but I can't afford it. Then you came. I was able to have my 5 teeth that are causing pain extracted. Thank you!! God bless you!

-Anna

"Thank you VERY much for taking the time out of your very busy lives to help those of us that are less fortunate. We REALLY appreciate all of your efforts."

-Terresa

"Thank you very much for it was the first time yesterday I slept without pain in two years. Thank you ALL."

-Joe

"I think this is a great program. People like me without insurance can have the opportunity to have this care. It is a great feeling to see that people care for others. Thank you very much."

-Sarah

"All worked out just fine. People held my spot in line while I helped with the Red Cross giving out juice and water to those waiting. Thank you very much for bringing our community this much needed service. I hope you know that this smile is for all of us your Mission of Mercy has helped. Thanks again !!!!" -John

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I took my 80 year old mother to the La Crosse Center for treatment on Saturday.  We were there six hours and probably came in personal contact with 50 people representing MOM.  Those people could not have been nicer!!  Even at 5:00, when everyone was tired and had already done more than a full day's work, my Mom unexpectedly needed a tooth pulled (two had already been removed earlier in the day).  Rather than have her move back in the extraction waiting line, the dentist treating her arranged for an oral surgeon to do it in the chair she was already in.  He made her feel so at ease, made sure she was comfortable, and took care of business...not to mention making her day by calling her his girlfriend!  I was astounded at the number of young families, disabled people, and college students who were receiving treatment.  What your organization does is the most selfless, wonderful thing in the world and we in La Crosse surely do appreciat  e you!  Thanks, again!"

-Diane

"I want to thank you and your entire organization for the help my family received this weekend in Lacrosse. I have a family of 5 and a full time job and still cannot afford dental insurance. I had a filling put in and teeth cleaned while my daughter had a tooth pulled. I really want to thank you on behalf of my wife who had all of her teeth pulled.....22 of them! Now we are trying to find somewhere to find dentures that we can afford. She can now go back to work after we find dentures, something she could not for the past 10 years because of the pain, swelling and embarrassment. What you did was beyond words not only for us but the hundreds of people I saw and talked with who were so grateful for the help. Again, thank you to the entire WDA and volunteers. Though she has no teeth, you really made my wife smile!"

-Dan

"I am writing to express my thanks. I attened the La Crosse Mission of Mercy. I got in line at 5am on Friday morning. I was scared. I had not been to a dentist in over 11 years. I had broken teeth right in front, and had no idea if there was anything that could be done for me. Once, I was in line, people came around offering water and orange juice. Very, very nice. Once inside the La Crosse center, everyone was so nice. I had expressed to the lady who took my blood pressure that I was very anxious and scared of what was going on. She found me a buddy. Sadly, I don't recall her name, but she was so kind and caring. Made me feel right at ease with everything. I then saw the dentist who was diagnosing people. Once he told me that I was going to be able to get a flipper and get some molors pulled, I about cried from happiness. I truly felt like it was Christmas morning and I was a kid again. At 31 years old, that's no small accomplishment! I, of course, went thru my x-ray, and dow  n to get numbed up. Sadly, I didn't get numbed up enough, but that is nobody's fault.  The oral surgen who pulled my teeth gave me the extra numbing meds I needed and was very comforting to me. Especially when the roof of my mouth got it's injections. OUCH! That would have hurt no matter who did it, but he was so kind. I was able to relax right away. Later in the day, when I got my flipper, I was extatic! You all gave me more than free dental care. You gave me my smile back. I keep telling my husband, I have teeth! I feel pretty again. I feel like the person I was before my teeth broke. It really was a miricle for me. Words can't really express how happy and grateful I am to you all! I hope you all do this event again so more people can feel like it's Christmas too! Thank you so much!" 

-Kim

From volunteers

"I just want to say thank you for all of your hard work on the Mission of Mercy event. By all accounts it was a huge success and a great contribution to the citizens of Wisconsin. On behalf of the Department of Regulation and Licensing we appreciate all of your efforts on making sure that a sizeable number of people were able to get dental care that could not afford it otherwise. My hats off to the WDA for engaging in this monumental event. It means more than any of us can say."

-Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing Secretary Celia Jackson

"I want to thank all of you for allowing our family to be a part of this fantastic event. You are an awesome group to work with and have impressed me beyond belief. Your abilities, strengths, talents and sense of humor are all appreciated. I hope we will all be able to work together at another great dental clinic. Or better yet, to be able to work together to get legislation passed for dental care. Thank you, thank you, thank you, all a million times over."

-Barb
 

"What a privilege it was to participate in such a wonderful undertaking. Everyone who was there understands completely the value of dentistry to 'real people.' This isn’t abstract and vague 'help' – this is life-changing problem resolution!"

-Pete

"I fabricated a partial for a woman named Helen. She was so happy to get her partial that she cried. Then I cried. We had our picture taken together. She thanked me for giving her her smile back. I have spent the last few days here helping out and when Helen said thank you and gave me a warm genuine hug - that made up for the hard work and lack of sleep. It is my pleasure and honor to be a part of this wonderful event."

-Anonymous

"It is always great to meet new friends with the same goals as our own. We give from our hearts in the hope others will do the same."

-Anonymous

"On Saturday, a family with 5 kids trooped in after hearing about the program from an aunt who saw the announcement Thursday night on the news. One child came Friday and did so well the rest came Saturday. The 4-year-old had no previous care. Another woman was from Winona, Minn. lost her insurance when her factory closed with their jobs outsourced out of the states. A 30-year-old Hmong who looked like a teen had a partial for his front uppers done. He's deaf and now wants to pursue a career as a dental lab technician after watching his partial being made."

"All patients were very grateful and appreciative. Some even wanted to give hugs. This felt great for myself (an assistant) and the doctor."

-Anonymous

"EVERY patient that I saw was extremely grateful. Even people that I did not personally see as a patient would say 'Thank you' or 'It's really wonderful for you to do this'."

-Anonymous

"I had the opportunity to interpret for a Hmong person from beginning to end and he is very pleased with the program you have. It was his first time to have a cleaning. He is 74 year old."

-Anonymous

"It was a great feeling to be here and help all these people - GO AMERICA! Nice to have Americans helping in our own country."

-Anonymous

"Watching people receive their partials and smiling with a full set of teeth was a great feeling."

-Anonymous

"Our team so enjoyed the MOM event that we are planning for next year's already. Congratulations to you all for not only the care that was given, but the feeling all the workers must have had similar to ours...It was a time where our knowledge and expertise was used in a massively, humongous manner...to make a difference to many very grateful people. I still get goosebumps."

-Nan