WEST ALLIS, WIS., May 30, 2018 – The Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation will bring the ninth WDA Mission of Mercy to the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Avenue, in West Allis on June 22 and 23 to provide free dental care to children and adults who have limited financial resources or are otherwise unable to visit a dental office.
Doors open at 5:30 a.m. both days. Individuals seeking dental care should line up outside of the door marked “Patient Entrance” located on the south side of the building. Early arrival is encouraged, because available patient slots are typically filled by 10 a.m.
Approximately 1,000 patient visits will take place each day on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no appointments.
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 identification or documentation 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.
“We aim to help children and adults that face barriers to accessing dental care relieve pain and restore smiles,” WDA President Dr. Dave Clemens, a general dentist with a practice in Wisconsin Dells, said. “WDA Mission of Mercy is just one example of how dentists do serve their communities and help make a difference through charitable dental care throughout the year.”
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.
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.
A multi-language patient flyer and answers to patients’ frequently asked questions can be found on WDA.org in the Mission of Mercy section under the WDA Foundation tab.
Please note: Patients should not wait for the WDA Mission of Mercy to seek care for dental pain, as this could signal a serious condition. If dental pain is severe and accompanied by a fever or swelling, go to a hospital emergency room immediately!
