WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 6, 2018 – The Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation are teaming up with Special Olympics Wisconsin to identify 35 athletes who will receive needed oral health care at the ninth Mission of Mercy being held June 22 and 23 in West Allis, Wis.
A team of dentists, dental hygienists and assistants have again volunteered to treat the Special Olympics athletes, many of whom have additional medical considerations.
Since 2011, an estimated $121,288 in restorative and preventive dental care has been provided to 182 special athletes at no cost to them, their families or SOWI.
The athletes, who range in age from 12-60, were screened for urgent dental needs at recent Special Olympics competitions held across the Badger State through the organization’s Healthy Athletes® project. That program provides health care screenings and testing to athletes at no cost.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to again partner with the WDA and WDA Foundation at MOM for the seventh year. Our athletes regularly receive dental health screenings, oral hygiene education and prevention services through Special Olympics Special Smiles®, which is funded by Delta Dental of Wisconsin. Once a need has been identified, however, getting follow-up dental treatment can be difficult for many individuals,” Special Olympics Wisconsin Senior Director of Health Programs Initiatives Melissa Schoenbrodt said.
“Our goal is to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society by offering opportunities to develop and demonstrate their talents through sports training and competition. Giving them a healthy smile helps us accomplish this goal,” Schoenbrodt added.
The 2018 WDA Mission of Mercy will be held at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis. Doors to this large-scale, charitable, dental clinic open at 5:30 a.m. both days. Individuals seeking dental care should line up at the entrance marked “Patient Entrance” located on the south side of the building.
There are no appointments for the general public. Care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis to about 1,000 patients daily. Early arrival is encouraged, because available patient slots typically fill by 10 a.m.
Individuals of all ages are welcome. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language interpreters will be available to assist patients.
No photo identification, Social Security number or other personal ID/documentation is required. However, medically-compromising conditions, such as extremely high blood pressure or severe disabilities, may prohibit an individual from receiving care.
An estimated $1 million in cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited treatment partials and personal oral hygiene education will be provided through 2,000 or more patient encounters.
The free care will be delivered by more than 1,000 volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, Marquette University School of Dentistry students and community members.
“The WDA and WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy focuses on providing free, critical treatment to those who may not otherwise get dental care. This charitable event is about caring and giving back to the community, but also is a great way to provide education on the importance of oral health and prevention,” 2018 WDA Mission of Mercy State Chair Dr. Lynn Lepak-McSorley of Milwaukee said.
Major financial and in-kind support is provided by the Brady Corporation Foundation, Delta Dental of Wisconsin Charitable Fund, The DentaQuest Foundation, Dental Health Products, Inc., Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, Henry Schein Dental, WDA Supply Source and We Energies Foundation.
The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Charitable Fund, Dr. Tim and Mrs. Sue Durtsche, First Supply, Henry Schein Dental, Kwik Trip and Professional Insurance Programs – a division of WDA Insurance and Services Corp. have supported all nine WDA MOM programs.
Nearly 100 organizations and individuals have contributed tax-deductible financial and in-kind donations to help cover over $212,000 in costs for equipment and facility rental, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food for this major charitable dental care event which includes setup on June 21.
WDA dentists and other MOM volunteers donate $6 – $8 in care for every $1 received. More than 13,715 children and adults have received in excess of $9.14 million in donated care at WDA Mission of Mercy events since 2009.
Visit the WDA Foundation donation page to help provide financial support to MOM and other charitable care and oral hygiene education outreach efforts.
