Patients

Our goal is to see approximately 1,000 patients per day, but that number will be adjusted depending on the type of care needed and the final number of volunteers.

We have seen patients of all ages, from children a few months old to seasoned adults in their 80s and 90s. Children 10 and under will be seen by one of our dentists in the pediatric (kids) department. Anyone older than 10 will see a general dentist or specialist depending on the treatment required. Parents and children under age 18 will be kept together at all times.

The school and the city do not allow tents on school grounds. The Police Department will have someone monitoring throughout the night. We encourage you to drink non-alcoholic fluids (water is best) to keep yourself hydrated and eat something while waiting; however, grills and other fires are not allowed. 

The clinic will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29. 

There is no identification required.

We see patients on a first come, first serve basis so the earlier the better. While we are open until 5 p.m. each day, we stop accepting new patients as soon as we reach capacity for the day. It's not unheard of at a clinic like this to reach capacity by 8 a.m. or even earlier.

Plan to be at Mission of Mercy for at least several hours. Patients are seen on first-come, first-served basis, so how long it takes depends how many people are ahead of you. The first people into the clinic should be done around 7 a.m. Once you enter the clinic area doors, registration and your initial exam will take approximately 30 minutes. We will have 100 dental chairs, and patients will spend an average of 45 minutes in the treatment chair.

This depends on how many people show up and their physical health. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis until the day’s capacity is met. All patients go through a medical health screening where they must meet requirements for blood pressure, blood-clotting and blood sugar in order to be seen. 

We reserve the right to refuse to treat anyone who has signs of intoxication or illegal drug use or is found to be threatening to other patients and/or volunteers.

We do cleanings, fillings, extractions and a limited number of transitional partials for front teeth. Full dentures and denture repairs are not provided.

Our goal is to take as many people out of dental pain and treat infections. With that in mind, after your dental exam, recommended treatment will be prioritized. You will be routed to the department treating your top priority and as much work as is needed in one quadrant of your mouth will be done. For example, if you need fillings in three teeth in the upper left side of your mouth more than you need a cleaning, you will be sent to the fillings department. When you are done there and if we are still accepting patients for the day, you may get back in line for additional treatment. 

We only use local anesthetic for procedures requiring numbing at the MOM clinic. No nitrous will be onsite.

If the tooth is visible through the gum and accompanied by pain and swelling, then we will extract a wisdom tooth.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide dentures at this time. We hope to provide this service at future clinics to patients who arrive without any upper and/or lower teeth.

In some circumstances we are able to do a root canal on front teeth. However, the tooth needs to be structurally sound, not require a crown and/or be an anchor tooth for a partial or a bridge. 

We refer to these as “flippers”. They are made to replace missing front teeth and are not a permanent device, because they can be "flipped" easily out of the mouth. They are made of plastic and not strong enough to be used for back teeth.

We will have Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language interpreters available, as well as a few individuals who speak other languages. Please let a MOM patient greeter or someone in patient registration know if an interpreter is required. 

By law, all school grounds are smoke free and smoking is prohibited. You must leave the school grounds, which includes the parking lots, to smoke. Once you enter the building you cannot leave without giving up your place in line. No exceptions.

No, we do not ask any questions regarding your situation.

We do not file any type of insurance claims or accept any forms of payment. All work is done at no charge by volunteers donating their time.

Parking is free in the Badger High School and adjacent middle school parking lots.  Designated handicapped spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

You should bring and take any prescription medications that you are on currently. You may have to wait outside for several hours, so please dress accordingly. Bring sunscreen, bug repellent, blankets and things to help pass the time (e.g. books, cards).

You may wish to bring a lawn chair for outside; chairs are not provided. If bringing young children, be sure to bring diapers and a change of clothes to keep them comfortable. There is no onsite coat or package check, so anything you bring will need to be carried with you or returned to your car before entering the building.

Remember, you will not be allowed to leave and re-enter the building without losing your place in line. The building will be air conditioned, so if you chill easily bring a sweater or light jacket to help keep you warm.

First and foremost, you should expect to be treated with respect and dignity. We’re glad you are visiting the WDA Mission of Mercy. Due to the size and nature of this event, you should plan to be with us for several hours. We will do our best to get you in and out as quickly as possible.

Everyone will receive a numbered wristband and a nametag. You will be asked how you would like to be referred to while in the clinic. You may choose to go by your first name, your last name and salutation (i.e. Mr. Jones) or a nickname you decided on for the day.  Whatever you choose is fine. The wristbands help ensure first-come, first-served order is followed.

Upon entering the building, you will complete a patient registration form and remain seated until you can be seen in medical triage. Before proceeding to medical triage, you will be asked several survey questions. Your responses are tracked in the computer and no one will see them once submitted. The information you provide will help us track demographics about the clinic’s patients which, in turn, helps us receive grants for future MOM events.

In medical triage, you will be asked about your medical history and have your blood pressure taken. In some instances you may need to have your blood clotting and/or blood sugar levels tested. Providing these readings are all in line, you will proceed to dental triage for an oral exam. A dentist will look over your teeth and determine what work needs to be done and in what priority.

Next you will be taken to routing where another dentist will look over the recommended treatment priorities and compare them to each department’s availability to determine what work you will have done. Depending on what work is to be done, you may be sent to have an X-ray taken. Once any needed X-rays are taken, you will be escorted to the appropriate department, checked in and asked to have a seat in the specific waiting area. Here you will be seen on a first-come, first-served using the number provided to you in routing. Depending on the number of people in front of you, you could wait for several hours in the department. 

If you are receiving a cleaning, you will go from the waiting area directly into the treatment chair. If you are having fillings, extractions or a root canal, you will first go to a general numbing area to receive local anesthetic before going into a treatment chair.  Once the work has been done, you will be escorted to the patient exit area where you will receive a kit with toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to take home. If other family or friends accompanied you to the clinic, you can reconnect with them in the designated meeting place – room 615.

While waiting in the clinic, you will have the opportunity to receive free oral health education materials.

For your safety as well as for that of our volunteers, at no time should you walk unescorted on the clinic floor. There are numerous hazards in a working dental clinic where over 1,000 people will be busy at any one time. Patient ambassadors will be available to assist you in getting food, water or making trips to the restroom. 

Licensed dentists, including specialists, and dental hygienists together with dental assistants provide the majority of care. Dental students from Marquette University School of Dentistry, under supervision of Marquette faculty members or school approved preceptors, may also provide care. Dental students will be identified by their alternate color scrub top.

We do not have any narcotics onsite. If warranted, an antibiotic or non-prescription pain medicine will be given to you onsite. In rare cases after extractions, we will provide a written prescription for other medications to be filled at a pharmacy.

No. Everyone providing care and helping out at the clinic is a volunteer. No one is being paid.

We are very grateful for the numerous sponsors and donors that provide either cash or in-kind donations to make this event possible.

Yes, providing the legal guardian/caregiver accompanies them and authorizes care.

Yes, providing the patient is able to be moved into a treatment chair either on their own or with assistance.

Contact Special Olympics Director of Wellness Initiatives Melissa Schoenbrodt at mschoenbrodt@specialolympicswisconsin.org to find out more.

Visit the Volunteer page on WDA.org.

Register now