Next week, local volunteers are planning to give back to the community by making thousands of smiles a little brighter.
The Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation (CADSF) will host its sixth annual Dental Mission of Mercy (AZMOMs) event at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds December 8 and 9.
An estimated 1,700 dentists, hygienists, lab technicians, assistants and other volunteers will give their time to provide dental care to approximately 2,000 people. The free dental work provided is estimated to be valued around $2 million.
The event starts at 6 a.m. on both days and patients will receive care on a first-come first served basis. In previous years, patients have stood in line for hours waiting to be seen. The free dental care event will end at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday or until resources run out.
100 portable dental units will be available to help people with teeth and mouth pain relief and infection. The following dental services will be provided: fillings, extractions, cleanings and limited lab work will be provided free of charge to patients of all ages.
This annual event started in 2010 when the state legislature did away with the adult emergency dental benefit for AHCCCS.
“There are too many people that fall through the cracks that are struggling with day to day life and need help,” shared Dr. Jacqueline Allen, a Phoenix endodontist, founding board member and current CADS Foundation board president. “Having proper dental health gives people a chance to focus on things other than pain or infection, helps them to better access potential jobs which in turn takes the burden off our emergency health care system that individuals use to relieve pain and infection if they can’t access dental care.”
