EASTERN SHORE MISSION OF MERCY
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Q. What is a “Mission of Mercy”(or MOM)?
A. It is a gathering of volunteer dental professionals who along with a volunteer staff of several hundred hold free, two day dental clinics at locations around the country.
Q. When did MOM begin?
A. In July 2000, the Virginia Dental Health Foundation launched the Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project. The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in conjunction with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Health Care Foundation formed a partnership to provide dental care for the uninsured and underserved populations of Virginia.
Since then thousands of patients in a growing number of states have been served. Virginia and Texas run multiple events each year.
Cumberland was the site for the first Maryland MOM, on October 29-30, 2010.
Q. What is a MOM event like?
A. Every event takes on its own personality, however there are some common traits:
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Over 100 volunteer dental professionals
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Several hundred lay-volunteers
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Lines of patients forming in the middle of the night
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All services provided on a first come first serve basis
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Doors open early in the morning and close normally a few hours later as the facility fills up with patients
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About 1,000 patients a day will be treated
Q. What is the cost?
A. There is no cost to the patient, no insurance form, nothing. It is free.
Q. Who pays for everything?
A. The dental organizations of the state where the event is held raise private donations to cover all the costs. Donations may come in the form of funds; supplies; donated meals and/or snacks; tables and chairs; badges, forms; and a variety of other support items. If you'd like to donate, see our Donations page.
Q. What services are provided?
A. This may vary slightly but cleanings, fillings, extractions, some oral surgery, and oral hygiene education.
Q. Who is eligible to be treated?
A. Anyone 18 years of age or older. No restrictions, unless the patient can’t be treated because of a medical reason.
Q. What if the patient needs pain medication or antibiotics?
A. There is always a pharmacy at the event to dispense antibiotics as prescribed by the treating dentist. There are no narcotics kept on site. Pain medications are by prescription only. Patients are given a presciption voucher to take to the pharmacy for pain meds.
Q. What if the patient needs additional treatment?
A. To assure that all patients have follow-up access, arrangements are made with local dentists to care for those individuals, if necessary.
Q. Do the dentists (and assistants) get paid?
A. No. This is a 100% volunteer operation.
Q. Do I have to live in Maryland to receive free dental service?
A. No. This event is open to anyone over the age of 18 years of age, regardless of where they reside.
Q. Do I need to make an appointment?
A. No appointments are necessary, the event is on a first-come-first-served basis until resources run out or the event ends, whichever comes first.
Q. Do you make dentures?
A. Due to time constraints, dentures are not a part of the clinic services for 2024.