People living in Southwest Virginia or neighboring areas who are looking for some free dental care are encouraged to attend the 21st annual Mission of Mercy (MOM) free dental clinic on Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23.
The event will be held at the Convocation Center on the campus of UVA-Wise from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Pre-registration begins on Thursday, July 21 at noon and patients are encouraged to arrive early on clinic days.
Mission of Mercy is a program of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation that addresses oral healthcare needs in underserved areas. Officials with the Virginia Dental Association Foundation expect more than 300 dentists, dental professionals and support volunteers to participate in the event. Services available will include dental exams, cleanings, oral surgery and X-rays. While free dentures have been offered at previous clinics, clinic specialists will only be screening patients this year for a waiting list for dentures at the 2023 clinic.
Clinic patients are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and to bring food and drink for the day. No overnight parking on the UVA Wise Campus will be allowed before and during the clinic. Parking for each day of the clinic opens at the Convocation Center parking lots at 4 a.m.
"In addition to the painful challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic the past two years, many of our neighbors in Southwest Virginia have struggled with little access to oral health care,” said Virginia Dental Association Foundation Executive Director Tara Quinn. “Poor oral health is linked to chronic disease, childhood illnesses, and even lost school and work hours. We are honored to return to serve our neighbors in the Wise County area again this year and are grateful for the many volunteers and supporters that power the MoM program.” In conjunction with the dental clinic, The Health Wagon will have a mobile clinic onsite each day to provide women’s free health services.