Thousands of Free Dental Procedures Provided to Patients in Need at Mission of Mercy in Duluth

MINNEAPOLIS, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Foundation hosted its Minnesota Mission of Mercy on July 17 and 18 in Duluth, providing free dental care to children and adults who face barriers to accessing dental care.  This fourth Mission of Mercy event held in Minnesota delivered free dental care valued at nearly $1 million.  The event's signature sponsor was again Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, with a leadership gift of $150,000 for the fourth consecutive year of partnership.

The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) was transformed into a giant dental clinic that included over 100 dental chairs, 16 sterilization units, and 9 x-ray units.  Over the course of two days there were 1,500 patient visits, resulting in over 6,571 total dental procedures, including 1,148 fillings, 1,376 extractions, 1,104 x-rays, 734 cleanings, 82 partial dentures, and 75 root canals. Patients treated included those from Duluth and northern Minnesota, as well as many who drove from other areas of the state and even other states.

More than 1,000 volunteers from all over Minnesota were used to staff the two-day event and included dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental therapists, translators and hundreds of community volunteers who served as greeters, registration assistants, and patient ambassadors.  In addition to the two clinic days, volunteers also donated countless hours to setting up and tearing down the massive dental clinic at the DECC.

Mission of Mercy events focus on providing dental care to underserved populations that face barriers to obtaining dental care, many suffering from long-term pain and even infection from untreated dental disease. "We were pleased to bring this event to Duluth to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people who are not receiving the dental treatment they need," stated Dr. Dan Rose, a practicing dentist and president of the Minnesota Dental Association. "This event so clearly shows the large unmet need out there and dental professionals will continue to work together to provide care to these citizens until a solution is found."

The Minnesota Dental Foundation raised over $240,000 in donations to cover the cost of the event.

The Minnesota Dental Association is the voice of dentistry in Minnesota, representing 76% of practicing dentists.  It is committed to the highest standards of oral health and access to care for all Minnesotans. Learn more at: www.mndental.org

SOURCE Minnesota Dental Association