| Updated: 2/07 3:30 pm |
Published: 2/07 3:26 pm
|
The third annual Oklahoma Mission of Mercy treated 1,733 patients at a two-day free dental clinic in McAlester.
The clinic was held on February 3rd and 4th, but the first patient got in line two days before doors opened. Officials with OkMOM tell us patients traveled from across the state and from Missouri and Arkansas to get dental care. One patient traveled from Seattle, Washington to take part in the clinic.
“We are pleased with the number of patients and volunteers who came out for the event,” said Doug Auld, DDS, Oklahoma Dental Association president and Oklahoma Mission of Mercy chair. “This was the first rural clinic hosted in Oklahoma and this Mission was able to treat more oral health issues per patient than in years past. I am very thankful to all of the volunteers that came out to treat these people.”
The total value of the donated dental services was about $1.1 million, equaling an average of $650 of dental work per patient. Procedures included cleanings, fillings, extractions and anterior root canals.
“Once again we have seen the powerful impact of the volunteer spirit for which Oklahoma is so well known,” said John Gladden, President and CEO, Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “By supporting the work of hundreds of volunteer dental professionals, we are able to help the less fortunate access desperately needed dental care. And, caring for our fellow Oklahomans is at the very heart of our not-for-profit mission. On behalf of the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the OkMOM volunteers who made this remarkable event possible.”
The 2012 OkMOM had 1,702 people from all over Oklahoma and Texas come and volunteer their time and talent in McAlester. More than 78 sponsors and donors provided services and food for the volunteers and patients both days.
