Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project: A Partnership of Dental Students and Organized Dentistry
Departmental Liaison
Carol Brooks, D.D.S.
What is the MOM Project?
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in conjunction with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Health Care Foundation have formed a partnership in providing dental care for the uninsured and underserved populations of Virginia. The Mission of Mercy Project was initiated because thousands of Virginians are unable to obtain dental care despite their urgent needs. One of the largest factors influencing a person's ability to access dental services in Virginia is geography - specifically, where a person lives. In some rural areas, the ratio may be as low as one dentist to 5000+ individuals.
History
In July 2000, the Virginia Dental Health Foundation launched the Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project. The Mission of Mercy Projects are conducted in identified, underserved areas of the state where there are not enough dental practitioners to adequately address the oral health needs of the community. Due to the tremendous success of the 2000 project, over fifteen additional MOM projects have been hosted, in areas such as the Eastern Shore (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005); Wise County (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005); Northern Virginia (2002, 2004, 2005), Petersburg (2002, 2003, 2004), Grundy (2004, 2005) and Martinsville (2003).
Our Role
The VCU School of Dentistry plays a vital role in not only giving care to this needy population but also provides staffing support, transportation and delivery of the School's mobile dental van and all volunteers including dental students, dental hygiene students, advanced education students, faculty and staff. To date, 13,000 patients have been provided with over $5.7 million worth of free dental care. Virginia's MOM projects have broken records for the largest two and three day dental outreach clinics ever conducted in the United States and serve as models for other states.
Project Details
Mission of Mercy Projects have been held in airport hangers, high schools, vacant factories and fairgrounds. Field clinics are set up, resembling a MASH unit with portable dental chairs, dental units, x-ray machines and sterilization facilities. Patients start lining up the night before to ensure that they have a place in line that guarantees that they will receive treatment. Usually these projects are held in conjunction with a health fair that provides screenings and physical exams for the community. Seeing patients stand in line, when the students arrive at 6:00 a.m., is usually the first glimpse of their patients for the day. It can be overwhelming to realize how great the need for dental treatment is, not only abroad but also in their own state.
Students apply for the opportunity to be part of the project. They are chosen to attend based on their record of teamwork, their ability to follow instructions, and clinical skill. Students are able to perform any treatment that they have already been trained to provide in dental school. Faculty supervise the students and provide instruction. Time moves very quickly with an effort to provide at least one procedure for every person who seeks treatment. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate that dentistry is a "caring" profession concerned for the patient's emotionally as well as professionally. The patients that are seen are very appreciative but the volunteers have found that they often times receive more than they give.
Supplies for these projects come from donations by major companies as well as individual support. But the greatest return is from the patients who provide us with the enthusiasm and new smiles that truly show that dentistry is more than a skill but also a gift we, as dentists, can share with others.