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The Virginia Dental Association Mission of Mercy (M.O.M.) Project
Created to provide free dental care in specified, underserved areas hroughout Virginia. To date M.O.M. has provided over $1.8 million in dental care to over 5,300 patients. Volunteers may register onlne at: www.vdadental.org or Contact Barbara Rollins at: E-mail rollins@vadental.org Phone # 804-261-1610  Caring Made Visible Thousands of Virginians do not have access to dental care. These are primarily the working poor, the elderly, the disabled or the uninsured. Mother, fathers, grandparents, children-they are valuable members of our communities-they are our neighbors and our friends, yet they often face pain, discomfort and embarrassment caused by the inability to receive oral healthcare. In response to this need, the Virginia Dental Health Foundation has partnered with the Virginia Dental Association and various organizations throughout the state to provide dental care in underserved areas through Mission of Mercy (MOM) projects. MOM projects have broken two and three day records for the largest dental outreach clinics ever conducted in the United States. To date, over 6,500 volunteers have worked through 31 missions and provided 24,000 patients with $11.3 million in free dental care. Services provided by MOM are unparalleled. They have lessened the pain and embarrassment suffered by thousands of Virginians, while elevating emotional self-worth of both the clients and volunteers. Those served and the volunteers both walk away changed by the experience. MOM demonstrates the commitment of the Virginia Dental Health Foundation in waging the effort to fight against poor oral health (recognized nationally as the “silent epidemic”). MOM has become a model program for other states which have hosted their own MOM dental clinics including Texas, Kansas, North Carolina, Nebraska, Arkansas and Colorado. West Virginia and Connecticut will be hosting their first MOM in 2008 and projects are projected for Iowa, Maine, and Tennessee. These outreach projects are having a remarkable impact on the dental health of underserved Virginians and patients nationwide- but they are not a solution to the problem. Until the public and policy makers truly understand the economic and social costs of this disparity, we will continue to struggle in our efforts to help solve this critical problem where we all share responsibility. The Mission of Mercy is there for those who have “nowhere else to turn.” Our intention is to serve, not to judge. Together, we are working to “make caring visible.” M.O.M. 7525 Staples Mill Road Richmond, VA 23228 800-552-3886 198.65.229.210/public/VDHF/VDHF_MOM.html
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Delta Dental’s Smart Smiles® Developed jointly by Delta Dental of Virginia and the Virginia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, the program assists in providing dental care to Boys & Girls Clubs members in Virginia who do not have dental insurance or who qualify for Medicaid/FAMIS/Smiles for Children. In addition, all Boys & Girls Clubs members receive dental health education and hygiene instruction as part of their Club experience. Delta Dental’s Smart Smiles 5511 Staples Mill Road Suite 301 Richmond, VA 23228 804-359-5250 x225 www.smartsmiles.org Prevent Child Abuse America The leading organization working with local, state and national agencies to prevent abuse and neglect of the nation’s children. Prevent Child Abuse America 200 S. Michigan Ave. 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60604-2404 1-800-CHILDREN www.preventchildabuse.org P.A.N.D.A Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness P.A.N.D.A. Coalition offers a variety of educational opportunities aimed at providing information on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. P.A.N.D.A. 4815 W. Markham Street Slot 41 Little Rock, AR 72205 501-661-2595 www.healthyarkansas.com/Oral_Health/panda/panda_index.htm Teammates for Kids Foundation Co-founded in 1999 by Garth Brooks to generate funds for children’s charities. www.touchemall.com Teammates for Kids Foundation 7851 South Elati Street Suite 200 Littleton, CO 80120 Operation Smile A private, non-profit volunteer organization that provides reconstructive surgery and related health care services to indigent children and young adults in developing countries as well as the US. www.operationsmile.org Operation Smile 6435 Tidewater Drive Norfolk, VA 23509 757-321-7645 Child Welfare Organizations Child Welfare League of America, Inc. A national membership organization of over 1,100 public and private voluntary child welfare agencies. Child Welfare League of America 440 First Street, NW, Third Floor Washington, DC 2001-2085 202-638-2952 www.cwla.org |
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