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www.mybaycity.com June 13, 2013
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OPEN WIDE PLEASE: Free Dental Clinic Treats 1136 at SVSU

Mission of Mercy Provides $903,000 in Care Last Weekend

June 13, 2013       Leave a Comment
By: Dave Rogers

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Free dental clinic took over the Ryder Center at SVSU.
 
Patients were seen by the dozens at one time at the free dental clinic.

Hundreds of volunteer dentists, technicians and doctors participated in the Mission of Mercy free dental clinic last weekend at Saginaw Valley State University.

Michigan Dental Association dentists treated 1,136 people during the state's first Mission of Mercy event to provide free dental care to people without other options.

Cost of the program was $180,000, provided by donors.

In addition, there were 164 returning patients, bringing the total served to 1,300. There were 1,210 radiographs, 1,606 hygiene procedures, 1,175 restorative procedures, 53 endoscopies, 107 lab procedures and 1,342 surgeries performed.

A total of 5,493 procedures were provided, with each patient receiving about five procedures on average. Many patients required extensive treatment such as root canals and full-mouth extractions.

About half of all procedures were for extensive treatments, such as oral surgery and restorative care. The care cost average per patient was $795 and $695 each for returning patients.

All told $903,385 in donated care was provided during the charitable event held June 7-8 at Saginaw Valley State University's Ryder Center.

Some 350 dentists, 100 hygienists, and 650 volunteers worked at the clinic.

"Michigan dentists routinely help patients in great need, but this event really illustrated the scope of the state's crisis in access to dental care," said Dr. Steve Harris, a Farmington Hills dentist and chair of the Michigan Mission of Mercy, who added:

"Thankfully we had a wonderful group of volunteers to help address the most urgent needs of these folks, but obviously a better approach is for Michigan to adequately fund the Medicaid oral health programs that can alleviate the human suffering we saw here."

Michigan is the 26th state to hold a Mission of Mercy event, and statistics showed Michigan patients at the events required an average of nearly $800 each in care, while the national average at Mission of Mercy events is $550.

Procedures ranged from X-rays and cleanings to fillings, extractions and oral surgery. Patients also received information about the importance of good daily oral hygiene, a healthy diet and routine preventive dental care, all of which can prevent the kind of severe problems treated at the event.

"We put a priority on serving adults and children in pain and with infections, but we also wanted to make sure they received information about how to stay healthy," Harris said.

The cost of the two-day 100-chair clinic was about $180,000, including in-kind donations. Donations include grants, private contributions, dental supplies, meals and snacks, tables and chairs, office supplies and other items.

Plans are under way for another Michigan MOM next year, likely to be held at Ferris State University, Big Rapids.

The Michigan Mission of Mercy is a joint project of the Michigan Dental Association and Michigan Dental Association Foundation. Major sponsors included Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund, Midland Area Community Foundation, Patterson Dental and Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, and 135 others.



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Dave Rogers

Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read,
respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City.
(Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com)

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