CONTACT: Carol S. Weber, APR, Director of Public Relations
PHONE: 414-755-4108 (direct)
E-MAIL: cweber@wda.org
WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 2, 2011 – The Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation are bringing the third annual WDA Mission of Mercy to the Greenheck Field House, 6400 Alderson St., Weston, Wis. (5.5 miles southeast of Wausau) on June 24 and 25 to provide free dental care to children and adults who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to visit a dental office.
The WDA expects volunteers to provide $1 million in cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited treatment partials and personal oral hygiene education through 2,000 or more patient encounters.
Individuals of all ages who do not have a medically compromising condition, such as extremely high blood pressure or severe disabilities that prohibit receiving care are welcome. There is no photo identification, social security number or any other personal documentation required. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Doors open at 6 a.m. About 1,000 patients will be seen each day on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no appointments. Early arrival is encouraged, because available patient slots usually fill by 10 a.m.
The free care will be delivered by more than 950 volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, Marquette University School of Dentistry students and community members.
Major financial and in-kind support is provided by Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Henry Schein Dental, Marathon County, MUSOD, Central Wisconsin Dental Society, DentaQuest, Patterson Dental and Kwik Trip.
More than 70 organizations and individuals will make tax-deductible financial and in-kind donations. These contributions help cover $160,000 in costs for dental equipment and facility rental, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food for this major charitable dental care event which includes one day each for set up and clean up.
For every dollar received, WDA dentists and other MOM volunteers donate $5 – $7 in care. Approximately 3,500 people have received about $1.8 million in free care at WDA Mission of Mercy events since 2009.
“MOM is not a solution, but it meets some individuals’ urgent dental needs while highlighting the difficulties low-income residents face in getting care,” said WDA President Dr. Gene Shoemaker of Waukesha, Wis.
“Oral health is critical to overall health and ensuring residents have proper dental care is important to our state economically and socially. Dentists do serve their communities and the WDA has proposed ‘Healthy Choices’ for reducing barriers to dental care across our state. We look forward to working with lawmakers on positive, viable and bipartisan solutions,” he added.
