WDA, WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy to bring free dental care to Fond du Lac
WEST ALLIS, WIS., May 13, 2015 – The Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation will bring the seventh WDA Mission of Mercy to the Fond du LacCounty Fairgrounds Expo Center, 601 Martin Ave, on June 12 and 13 to provide free dental care to children and adults who have limited financial resources or are otherwise unable to visit a dental office.
Doors open at 5:30 a.m. both days. Individuals seeking dental care should line up outside of the tent marked “Patient Entrance” located at the front corner of the building. Early arrival is encouraged, because available patient slots are typically filled by 10 a.m.
Approximately 1,000 patients will be seen each day on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no appointments.
Individuals of all ages are welcome. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language interpreters will be available to assist patients.
No photo identification, Social Security number or other personal ID/documentation required. However, medically-compromising conditions, such as extremely high blood pressure or severe disabilities, may prohibit an individual from receiving care.
An estimated $1 million in cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited treatment partials and personal oral hygiene education will be provided through 2,000 or more patient encounters.
“Research shows good dental health is critical to overall well-being,” WDA President Dr. Paul Levine, a general dentist with a practice in Brown Deer, said. “And, healthy residents have significant, positive economic and social impact on Wisconsin.”
The free care will be delivered by more than 1,000 volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, Marquette University School of Dentistrystudents and community members.
Major financial and in-kind support is provided by Delta Dental of Wisconsin Charitable Fund, Henry Schein Dental and Walmart Foundation. Delta Dental, Dr. Tim and Sue Durtsche, Henry Schein, Kwik Trip and Valley Expo and Displays have supported all seven WDA MOM programs.
More than 30 organizations and individuals have made tax-deductible financial and in-kind donations to help cover $183,000 in costs for equipment and facility rental, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food for this major charitable dental care event which includes one day each for set up and clean up. Visit the WDA Foundation donor page to help provide financial support to MOM and other charitable care efforts.
WDA dentists and other MOM volunteers donate $6 – $8 in care for every dollar received. More than 13,000 children and adults have received in excess of $7.1 million in donated care at WDA Mission of Mercy events since 2009.
“Mission of Mercy is only one example of how dentists serve their communities and help meet urgent dental needs of some individuals. However, charity is not the answer. Dentists want to work with other oral health advocates, patients and lawmakers on positive, viable and bipartisan solutions that will reduce barriers to care,” Levine added.
Visit the Mission of Mercy section under the WDA Foundation tab on WDA.org to download a multi-language patient flyer and find answers to frequently asked questions.
