Wisconsin Dental Association: Second annual Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy (MOM)

Estimated $1 million in free dental care (i.e., cleanings, fillings, extractions and limited treatment partials) provided to 2,000 adults and children during two days by 950 volunteers from 158 Wisconsin communities. Volunteers include 175 dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, Marquette University School of Dentistry students and lay people.

PATIENT INFO: Individuals of all ages who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to visit a dental office and do not have a medically-compromising condition, such as extremely high blood pressure or severe disabilities, that prohibits receiving care are welcome.

Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Photo identification, social security number or other personal ID and documentation NOT required. Spanish and Hmong translators will be available.

DATES: Setup – Thursday, June, 24, 2010

Patient care – Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26

Teardown – Sunday, June 27

TIME: Doors open at 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Approximately 1,000 patients treated each day on first-come, first-served basis. No appointments. Arrive early.

WHERE: Sheboygan North High School, 1042 School Ave., Sheboygan, Wis.

ENTER: Door off of School Avenue by 12th Street

SET-UP: High school site offers limited electrical hook-ups for media. Please bring your own power sources to support your equipment. Thank you.

INTERVIEWS: Press invited to “walk the line” with Mission of Mercy spokespersons and interview patients waiting in line (some overnight) before doors open. MOM clinic tours and interviews with dentist spokespersons and volunteers are also available.

KEY SPOKESPERSONS: Dr. Eugene (Gene) Shoemaker, state program chair & WDA president-elect

Dr. Mark Huberty, local committee chair

Dr. Kent Vandehaar, WDA president

Dr. Steven (Steve) Stoll, WDA vice president

Dr. Allison Dowd, pediatric department chair

CONTACT: Carol S. Weber, APR, WDA Director of Public Relations, cweber@wda.org; 414-755-4108 (direct) or 414-315-9321 (cell after 1 p.m. on June 23)

ONLINE: Visit WDA.org for online Mission of Mercy Media Room with press releases, high and low-res event photos and MOM logo, WDA spokesperson bios and headshots and more.