985 Volunteers to Provide $1 Million in Free Dental Care

WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 16, 2011 – Approximately 985 volunteers from 163 Wisconsin communities will be in the Wausau area next week to provide $1 million in free dental care to some 2,000 children and adults on June 24 and 25 at Greenheck Field House, 6400 Alderson St., Weston, Wis. (5.5 miles southeast of Wausau).

This large volunteer effort marks the third annual Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy or MOM.

Two-hundred and fifteen dentists working with dental hygienists and assistants, Marquette University School of Dentistry students and community members will provide free dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited treatment partials and basic oral health education. Spanish and Hmong translators will also be available to help patients.

Doors open at 6 a.m. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is encouraged.

Individuals of all ages who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to visit a dental office and do not have a medically-compromising condition, such as extremely high blood pressure or severe disabilities that prohibits receiving care, are welcome. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

There is no photo identification, social security number or other personal documentation required.

Thirty Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes will receive dental care on Friday as part of a national MOM pilot project.

More than 70 organizations and individuals will make tax-deductible financial and in-kind donations to help cover $160,000 in costs for dental equipment and facility rental, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food at WDA MOM. For every dollar received, WDA dentists and other MOM volunteers donate $5 – $7 in needed care.

Major support in 2011 is provided by Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Henry Schein Dental, Walmart Foundation, Marathon County, MUSOD, Central Wisconsin Dental Society, DentaQuest, Patterson Dental and Kwik Trip.

Since 2009, 3,500 people have received $1.8 million in free care at WDA Missions of Mercy.

For more information on the WDA, call 414-276-4520, visit our WDA.org website.