Minnesota Mission of Mercy Creates Massive Dental Clinic at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – – The Minnesota Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Foundation are bringing the Minnesota Mission of Mercy to northern Minnesota on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18 to provide free dental care to children and adults who face barriers to accessing dental care. The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center was chosen as the site to accommodate the massive dental clinic which will treat as many as 2,000 patients from a wide geographic area. The signature sponsor of the event is Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation.
Free care being provided includes cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited treatment for partial dental appliances, and some root canals in front teeth. There is no advance sign up and patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis each day. The doors open at 5:30 a.m. and early arrival is encouraged.
The free care is being provided by more than 1,000 volunteers, including dentists from Minnesota and surrounding states, as well as hygienists, dental assistants, translators and lay volunteers. This is the fourth Mission of Mercy event being held in Minnesota, with free care valued at over $3 million provided since 2012.
“Minnesota dentists are committed to ensuring that all Minnesotans have access to dental care,” said Dr. Dan Rose, a practicing dentist and president of the Minnesota Dental Association. “It is unfortunate that there are still thousands of people, who, for a wide variety of reasons, cannot get the dental care they need. Until a viable solution is found, dental professionals will continue to work together to provide care to our most vulnerable citizens.”
Volunteer dentists are prepared to provide care to 2,000 patients. Dental services not provided are implants, crowns and root canals on molars, full dentures and removal of unexposed wisdom teeth.
Adults and children of all ages who are in reasonably good health qualify and will be welcome until treatment capacity is reached each day. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There will be no photo identification, social security number or any other personal documentation required. Anonymous demographic data collected is for future donor solicitation only.
Major financial and in-kind support is critical to the success of Mission of Mercy. Generous donors will provide approximately $215,000 in cash and in-kind donations. To date more than 60 organizations and individuals have made tax-deductible donations to cover the necessary dental equipment, supplies and food costs for this major event. Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation is the signature sponsor. To learn more about the Minnesota Dental Foundation, or to make a donation, visit the Donate page.
To learn more about the event, or to volunteer, go to: mnmom.org.
The Minnesota Dental Association is the voice of dentistry in Minnesota, representing practicing dentists. It is committed to the highest standards of oral health and access to care for all Minnesotans. You can learn more at www.mndental.org.