The Chesapeake Care Clinic recently teamed up with the VCU School of Dentistry and the Virginia Dental Association Foundation to give smile makeovers to 70 patients during a free weekend clinic.
Dubbed the Chesapeake Mini-MOM (Mission of Mercy) event, the two-and-a-half day clinic starting March 24 involved 55 volunteer dental health professionals providing 217 free dental extractions, exams and oral cancer screenings. The total value of care provided by dental students and volunteer dentists was $53,210, the VDAF said in a news release.
“Even with Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act, dental care is still not affordable and accessible to everyone,” the VDAF said. “In Virginia, many people are asset limited, income constrained, and employed but cannot afford health insurance.”
The agency estimates there are 77,000 uninsured adults in the Hampton Roads area.
The foundation provides free dental care around the state through various programs, including the Mission of Mercy mobile dental projects, Give Kids a Smile! and Donated Dental Services.
The MOM program was created 22 years ago by former association executive director Dr. Terry Dickinson, and has provided $48.3 million worth of free dental care to more than 69,000 Virginia patients.
“The VDAF is very grateful for the collaboration of all of our incredible volunteers and partners at the Chesapeake Care Clinic and the VCU School of Dentistry,” association executive Tara Quinn said in the release. “Together we feel blessed to be able to relieve the pain and discomfort of many who were still not able to access affordable dental care in Virginia.”
The Chesapeake Care Clinic provides medical and dental services to low-income and underserved individuals in Hampton Roads. For more information, visit chesapeakecare.org.
Kari Pugh, kari.pugh@virginiamedia.com
