The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) and the Minnesota Dental Foundation (MDF) hosted the Minnesota Mission of Mercy on August 17 and 18, providing $1.3 million in free dental care to children and adults who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise not able to obtain dental treatment.
It was the first ever Mission of Mercy event held in Minnesota, the MDA noted in a press release. The MDF raised more than $319,000 in donations to cover the costs of the event.
The Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato was transformed into a giant dental office that included more than 25,000 sq ft of arena space with 125 portable dental chairs, 16 sterilization units, and 10 x-ray units. During the course of two days, there were 2,062 patient visits, resulting in 1,489 fillings, 1,307 extractions, 1,719 x-rays, and 111 partial dentures, along with hundreds of exams, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments.
The 1,367 dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental therapists, and translators volunteered for the event, and scores of community and lay volunteers served as greeters, registration assistants, and patient escorts.
