Volunteers prepare to welcome patients at Eastern Shore Mission of Mercy free dentistry event
SALISBURY, Md. – Angels equipped with dentists’ tools have descended on the Wicomico Civic Center. This weekend, free adult dental care will be provided in the Eastern Shore Mission of Mercy (ESMOM).
Angels Equipped With Dentists’ Tools
A pool of veterans and disadvantaged individuals got first dibs on signing up for this weekend’s clinic on Thursday. The event will open to the public, starting at 7 a.m. on Friday.
“We will start to have folks lining up at 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning. We anticipate that we’ll have a capacity of about 450 to 500 [patients] per day,” said ESMOM organizer Sue Simmons.
Volunteer professionals, like licensed dentists and hygienists, from across the region will provide the complimentary care.
Setting Up Shop
Thursday, a large team of other volunteers got together to help build the clinic inside the Civic Center. There was a lot of work to do—plumbing, electricity, and installing dental equipment rented from the Americas’ Dentist Cares Foundation.
“We’re doing simple extractions, and we’re doing restorative dentistry. So, if someone needs a filling, or that type of thing. We’re doing cleanings and we’re doing x-rays,” Simmons said.
Simmons says some patients will likely need more help than ESMOM can provide. However, she says just relieving pain can be a game-changer for many.
“We want to make sure to relieve some of that pain if we can do it,” Simmons said. “There’s that immediate trade-off there, and I think that’s what motivates the volunteers to be a part of something this large.”
And, providing access to that care can have a ripple effect.
“After a Mission of Mercy, the emergency intake at local emergency rooms drops because some of those immediate needs have been addressed for a thousand folks in our community,” Simmons said.
What to Expect
Patients should be prepared to wait in line for potentially hours to receive care, as the event is in extremely high demand. Simmons recommends lining up early, wearing comfortable shoes, and attending on Friday if possible.
“We’ll be doing things to welcome them, make them comfortable,” Simmons said. “We do have patient information, and we want to demystify what’s happening. So, we have an excellent site plan so that people have an understanding of what steps they are going to take.”
Meanwhile, volunteers of all kinds are still needed. The first two ESMOM events were held in 2013 and 2015, in which more than 3,000 volunteers donated more than 23,000 hours of their time.
This year, volunteers can get involved in a number of ways. ESMOM organizers are asking for help with patient escorts, check-in, breaking down the event on Saturday night, and more.
“Overwhelmed by the warmth and support,”
Simmons says she has been blown away by the support already shown. A local farmer agreed to donate truckloads of watermelon as a pick-me-up for all involved. And, Sharp Water from Culligan is donating water.
“I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and support, and the can-do attitude not only from local businesses but also the individuals,” Simmons said.
In speaking with patients leading up to the event, Simmons says she feels humbled by their gratefulness and will for change.
“It’s illuminated, for me, how powerful—how courageous people really are, who are navigating pain every day, who are juggling limited incomes, who haven’t been able to find a dentist to provide them consistent care,” Simmons said.
ESMOM will take place September 13th and 14th and the Wicomico Civic Center. It is free and open to all, however, patients must be 18 years old to receive care. For more information, click here.
