The Mission of Mercy dental clinic returns to the UVA-Wise’s Convocation Center on July 19 and 20. Organized by the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, the event provides free preventative, restorative and surgical dental care to people living in and near Southwest Virginia.
Mission of Mercy operates on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients are encouraged to arrive early. Pre-registration begins on Thursday, July 18 at noon.
Organizers recommend attendees wear comfortable clothes and bring food and drink for the day. No overnight parking on the UVa-Wise campus is allowed.
“We are honored to return to Wise County to serve the community,” said VDAF executive director Tara Quinn. “If you haven’t been to the dentist in more than six months or are experiencing oral pain, please join us next month. Our incredible volunteer dental teams will provide compassionate care to everyone who joins us. Care will be provided on a first come, first served basis.”
People can access free dental services including cleanings, fillings, oral surgery and x-rays at the two-day event. Limited denture repairs, relines and simple partials will also be offered.
2024 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dental clinic, which was first started in Wise by Dr. Terry Dickinson. Today, more than 30 states implement similar models to address unmet oral health needs.
The VDAF expects approximately 300 dentists, dental professionals and support volunteers from the Virginia Dental Association, VCU School of Dentistry, and community partners to participate at this Wise County Mission of Mercy event.
How Mission of Mercy Works for Underserved Communities
Over the past twenty-five years, Mission of Mercy has served more than 25,000 patients and provided over $22.2 million in free dental care at the Wise County event alone.
Mission of Mercy is made possible through partnerships with the Virginia Dental Association, VCU School of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene, Virginia Health Care Foundation and other sponsors. The VDAF estimates it costs over $60,000 to put on the event for patients.
The Move Mountains Medical Missions by The Health Wagon will also operate from the Convocation Center during the event. Patients can access free medical, vision and veterinary care as well as other free goods and services.
VDAF focuses on Mission of Mercy as an important tool for addressing the need for access to oral health care. Across the state, the program has provided dental procedures for more than 71,000 low-income individuals since its inception.
About the VDAF Founded in 1996 as the charitable and outreach arm of the Virginia Dental Association, the VDAF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access to dental care for underserved and underinsured Virginians. For more information about the Virginia Dental Association Foundation and its programs, visit www.vdaf.org.
