Free Dental Clinic Coming to the Delta

A large-scale two-day free dental clinic is slated to make its way to the Mississippi Delta this summer.

Dr. Mark Donald, a Mississippi dentist, introduced the state to Missions of Mercy after seeing it in action in Arkansas several years ago.

The MOM project is scheduled to take place June 28-29 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. that Friday and 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Leflore County Civic Center.

Donald first suggested the Mississippi Dental Association bring the event to the state, he told the Indianola Rotary Club recently.

So far, over 2,600 Mississippians have been served over two separate clinics, with a value of $1.3 million in donated services according to MS MOM.

The previous two events were held in Jackson and Pearl. The Greenwood event will be the first in the Delta.

“The mission of the Mississippi Dental Association Foundation, (MDAF) is to directly address the “Access to Care” problem facing our states’ most underserved,” MS MOM said on its website.  We are 100% supported by the goodwill of Mississippians, other foundations and corporations. You can help us reach even more Mississippians by volunteering or donating to the MDA Foundation.”

Donald said that in order to host this event, MS MOM will need between 200 and 400 community volunteers.

He said that it would take between $80,000 and $100,000 to put on the event.

That includes rental of the venue, equipment, paying suppliers and food.

He said volunteers do not necessarily have to possess a background in dentistry.

MS MOM will need escorts, people for crowd control, parking attendants, cleanup and food service individuals.

Volunteer forms can be found at the Mississippi Dental Association website, under the Reduced & Low-Cost Dental Care tab.