Frequently asked questions

The doors open to patients at 6:00 A.M.. The first treatments begin at 7:00 A.M.. All patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Often patients line up at the Civic Center many hours before the clinic doors open. A line cue will be clearly established and outdoor toilets available.

No insurance is needed. No payment is required. This is completely FREE thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and sponsors.

No appointments are accepted. If you missed the Patient Prescreening events promoted on this page, do not worry. Even prescreened patients must enter the general patient line outside the facility. You cannot make an appointment for ESMOM services. Care is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.   If you do not complete the Patient Registration Form before the clinic, that is not an obstacle to receiving care. Patient registration can be completed on-site

• X-Rays • Cleanings • Fillings • Select Root Canals • Select Extractions

Due to limited time and resources, it may not be possible to provide multiple procedures in a single visit. The first priority will be to address the most critical need and if additional procedures are desired, patients can return for the 2nd day of the clinic.

It is a free, two-day dental clinic that serves adult patients in need (Ages 18 & up). ALL services are provided FREE of charge by local clinical professionals, and there are no eligibility or insurance requirements, and no state or county residency requirements.

We do NOT provide full dentures, root canals on molars, crowns, extractions of unexposed wisdom teeth, orthodontics/braces, implants, or impactions. Narcotics will not be dispensed.

No. Unfortunately, we cannot provide full dentures or replace existing ones at the E.S.M.O.M..

If receiving dental services, you will undergo a simple medical exam at the start of your Eastern Shore Mission of Mercy experience. Some things that could prevent you from being treated include having a fever at the time of treatment, uncontrollable or abnormally high blood pressure, or excessive bleeding in the past. Also, the portable dental chairs in use at the clinic do have a weight limit of 375 pounds. If a patient uses a wheelchair, they must be able to self-transfer from their chair to the dental chair.

Yes - everyone must wait in line regardless of circumstances.

Yes! We will not turn anyone away based on residence or ability to pay. Services are free. Our service area spans the entire Delmarva region.

We do have a team of volunteer interpreters who will assist to the best of their ability. We cannot guarantee which languages will be covered by the team. If you have someone who can interpret for you, you are welcome to bring them as well. They must be 18 years old.

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 prescription voucher to take to the on-site pharmacy for pain meds.

To assure that all patients have follow-up access, arrangements are made with local dentists to care for those individuals, if necessary.

E.S.M.O.M. cannot provide dental services to patients under 18. If a parent needs services, the child will not be admitted onto the clinic floor. Children may wait in the family waiting area, but must also be supervised by another trusted adult or family member. ES..M.O.M. cannot provide daycare services.