Second free clinic planned

Mission of Mercy received an overwhelming response last summer

By Erienne Greene / Journal staff writer

The old Hedgesville High School gymnasium, shown here last summer, was converted into dental cleaning stations, numbing stations and surgical stations for the Eastern Panhandle Mission of Mercy (M.O.M.) two-day, free dental clinic. Approximately 1,000 adults who could not otherwise afford dental care were served. (Journal file photo by Ron Agnir)

HEDGESVILLE - Due to an overwhelming response at last year's free dental clinic, the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle has decided to sponsor a second one, slated for June 26 and 27.

"Last year, we saw that there was such an apparent need for this in the community and immediately set the dates for this year's clinic," said Vicki Shean, director of resource development at United Way.

The clinic was formed by the Mission of Mercy project, an initiative of the Healthy Smiles Partnership.

"M.O.M. was started several years ago by the Virginia Dental Association. The group has worked with numerous other states since then and has helped to organize even more clinics," Shean said.

The local clinic is a two-day session of free dental treatments, and patients can choose to have either a teeth cleaning, a filling or an extraction, all done by qualified and licensed dental professionals.

Shean said that nearly nine months of planning has gone into this year's M.O.M. clinic, which will take place at the Hedgesville High School gymnasium.

Yet again, the clinic is designed to serve the oral health needs of those who are willing to wait patiently.

Visitors are urged to wear comfortable clothes and to bring with them a book or something else to keep them occupied while waiting their turn in line.

Although doors will open at 6 a.m., last year's event had groups of people lined up before midnight the previous day to get free treatments.

"There are no eligibility guidelines, so anyone that is of 18 years of age (and) willing to come out and wait their turn is certainly welcome," she said.

United Way urges patients to bring a list of medications and allergies, and all those taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) must have a note from their primary physician that gives them permission for dental treatment.

Last year's free dental clinic brought in 500 patients on just its first day, with an average of 41 people an hour having work done on their smiles.

More than 800 volunteers and 65 dentists united to make the two-day event a success, and Shean said anyone interested in volunteering for this year's clinic may register online at www.healthysmileswv.org or call her office at (304) 262-0048.

"We are still the recruiting volunteers for all services because hundreds of general volunteers can still be used, especially Spanish interpreters, guides for parking and professional dentists," she said.

Shean said the initiative will continue to please all those involved.

"We had such a successful turnout last year, and our hopes are that everything runs smoothly yet again," she said.

- Staff writer Erienne Greene can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 183, or egreene@journal-news.net