'Mission of Mercy' Free Dental Health Clinic Issues Call for Volunteers

The Rhode Island Mission of Mercy free dental health clinic will be held on June 2 and 3 at CCRI’s Flanagan Campus in Lincoln and organizers expect to treat 500 patients over two days. For the event to be successful, however, The Mission of Mercy requires hundreds of dental, medical and community volunteers. 

There is an urgent need for general dentists, oral surgeons, endodontists, pediatric dentists, prosthodontists, dental lab technicians and medical professionals. Community volunteers are also needed to assist with crowd control, patient registration, patient escort, interpreter services, exit interviews, refreshments, setup and cleanup. 

“The Rhode Island Mission of Mercy represents the coming together of nontraditional partners, giving of their skills and time to help those less fortunate to achieve better oral health," said Jeffrey Dodge, DMD, Mission of Mercy dental clinic co-chair. 

“The success of this event is contingent on volunteer participation,” said event co-chair, Deborah Fuller, DMD. 

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for at least one six-hour shift over the two days (volunteers can pick up more shifts if they like). Patient treatment will begin at 6 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. on both days. 

Oral health professionals can claim continuing education credit (up to a maximum of four per biennial accrual period) for their community service time at the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy event. 

Here is a list of some specific volunteer needs: 

Dental/Medical Volunteers: 

• Dentists: General and Specialist Dentists Needed (Endodontists, Oral Surgeons, Pediatric dentists, Prosthodontists)
• Registered Dental Hygienists
• Dental Assistants
• Dental Lab Technicians 

 Community Volunteers: 

• Crowd control/parking
• Exit interviewing 
• Food and beverage service
• Interpreters
• Patient escort/greeter
• Patient registration
• Runners
• Volunteer registration
• Set-up/clean-up

Shifts available: 

Friday, June 1 — Clinic setup: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 2 — 6 a.m. to noon; noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 3 — 6 a.m. to noon; noon to 6 p.m. 

Location: 

Community College of Rhode Island
Flanagan Campus
1762 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, R.I. 

Proper dental care is one of the first things cut back during tough times for those unemployed, under-employed, uninsured or otherwise unable to pay. The Mission of Mercy was established by the Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation to help Rhode Islanders get the care they need by offering a free weekend of dental care to those who need it most. In 2010, 130,000 Rhode Island Medicaid enrollees did not see a dentist, and the numbers of those in need are rising, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. 

To register to be a volunteer, or for more information, visit the Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation’s website at www.rimom.org.  

About the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy: 

RI Mission of Mercy (RIMOM) is a free, two-day dental clinic where treatment is provided at no cost to adults and children who cannot afford dental care. Treatment is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Services are provided by licensed dental professional volunteers and include cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, dental X-rays, oral health instruction, fillings, denture repair, root canals and tooth extractions. The Rhode Island Mission of Mercy is sponsored by the Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation, along with many community partners, including The Rhode Island Department of Health, The Community College of Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Dental Association and Delta Dental of Rhode Island, which is the premier funding partner for the event.