Mission of Mercy's Dentistry On the Wings of Love

With so many people being uninsured, there's a major need for dental care. The need is critical because some people die from untreated tooth and gum disease.  12 year-old Deamonte Driver died from an abscessed tooth. His overwhelmed single mother without dental insurance, fed him and bought him toys, but didn't understand the need for a dentist to address his tooth ache.

If dental services were offered freely to kids in school, he wouldn't have died. However, that would only address students, while their parents and other family members without dental insurance may equally die from tooth disease.

That's where, Mission of Mercy, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which seeks to restore dignity to all people by being an instrument of "healing through love," comes in. These kind and selfless "teeth care providers" serve various communities through an innovative volunteer-based model, which enables them to regularly treat large numbers of patients with active and retired medical professionals.

They treat dental patients with free dental procedures such as fillings or extractions performed by licensed, volunteer dentists. In addition, Patients also received free prescription medications for pain relief and infection, as part of their care. Some patients also received free treatment by oral surgeons, in the community, who partner with Mission of Mercy. If most people do the 6 month routine dental examinations recommended, there would be less need for this.

Most of Mission of Mercy’s dental patients are without insurance, while some have Medicaid and/or Medicare, which offers oral healthcare. Considering the "pre-pays and co-pays" many have to pay to use their dental insurance, it may seem more prudent to visit Mission of Mercy, which is truly the only option for many dental patients.

Mission of Mercy partners with other organizations such as Delta Dental, The Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Foundation, Dr. George Waxter (Community Champion Award), The Frank H. and Ruth Wells Foundation, and United Concordia.

How You Can Help:

Mission of Mercy is need of dentists, dental Assistants and registrars, so if you are a retired or active dentist, or person willing and able to volunteer one day per month please call 301-682-5683

For more information, visit http://www.amissionofmercy.org/