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  Mission of Mercy: 2009 | About MOM | Directions & Hotel | Donors | Legislators & News Media | Testimonials | Volunteers

About MOM
WDA Mission of Mercy
It's the smiles - not the miles - that make it a mission.

Overview
Patient education
How a MOM site is selected
How you can help
Other resources

 


 

Overview Originating in Virginia and spreading throughout the United States, more than 50 Mission of Mercy dental programs have been conducted since 2000 to provide free dental care to local residents who otherwise are unable to receive treatment.

A successful MOM event focuses on:

  • Providing free access to critical dental care while placing a high priority on patients suffering from dental infections or pain
  • Raising public awareness of the increasing difficulty low-income adults and children face in accessing critical dental care
  • Challenging low-income and Medicaid (MA) patients, policymakers and dental professionals to work together to reduce the disease burden and improve the oral health of Wisconsin residents, including those who have been promised care by the state.

The Wisconsin MOM program provides care to the uninsured, the under-insured and anyone who otherwise has difficulty getting to a dentist. Those who show up for care, children and adults, and don't have any medically compromising condition that would prohibit them from receiving care are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Patient education

An important element of the Wisconsin MOM program is patient education. Education is the most cost-effective way to reduce oral disease among the low-income population, including MA patients. A program to help patients understand the importance of good daily oral hygiene practices, healthy diet and routine preventive dental care is an essential part of every WDA MOM event.

In addition to receiving needed dental treatment, MOM patients learn the importance of good daily oral hygiene practices, healthy diet and routine preventive dental care. It's a fact that such things ultimately save money and time in the dentist office. 

They learn about the negative effects of soda, sugary beverages and tobacco products, the link between dental health and overall health, oral cancer and more.    

 
A dental student shows children how to brush.

Dental students prepare for their presentations to MOM patients.
A dental hygiene student from Western Technical College volunteered as an interpreter teaching patients about tobacco products and oral cancer.

Photos courtsey of Rhonda Akeson

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How a MOM site is selected

There are approximately 20 site-selection criteria, including:

  • A strong local dental society with dentists interested in helping plan and volunteer
  • Local community involvement (e.g., oral health coalition, legislators) to help with recruiting volunteers and fundraising (dollars and in-kind donations)
  • A venue that can house a dental treatment project the size of MOM, along with sufficient local hotels and other housing options for 900+ volunteers, the majority of whom travel to the community

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How you can help

Financial contributions

If you or your organization would like to help us make a difference by making a tax-deductible contribution, please contact Lani Becker at lbecker@wda.org for more information or send your contribution to:

WDA Foundation
6737 W. Washington St., Suite 2360
West Allis, WI 53214

*Be sure to include Mission of Mercy in the memo line.

For every $1 we receive we are able to provide $5 - $7 of care.

Volunteer

More than 900 volunteers will be needed to make the 2010 event happen. Whether you are a caring dental professional or a caring individual, there are numerous opportunities for you to volunteer at the WDA Mission of Mercy. Please note, all volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Anyone involved directly with patient care must have their heptavax shots completed. MOM is divided into several departments with each department needing various types of volunteers. Click here for more information and to register.

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Other resources

  • WDA Foundation
    Tax-deductible financial donations and in-kind contributions to help support projects that provide dental care to the underserved, like Mission of Mercy, and other dental-related philanthropic endeavors in Wisconsin may be made to the WDA Foundation.
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Last updated Jan. 21, 2010 3:54 p.m.

© 2010, WDA Wisconsin Dental Association   6737 W. Washington St. Suite 2360, West Allis, WI 53214   Tel 414-276-4520   Fax 414-276-8431