LAWTON, OK – (January 19, 2024) — The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) partners are pleased to announce that its annual two-day free dental clinic will take place Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton.
Leading up to the event, the Coliseum, located at the Comanche County Fairgrounds, will transform into a fully-operational dental facility with more than 1,000 dental professionals and general volunteers offering no-cost oral health services to as many patients as possible.
OkMOM welcomes those who are uninsured, under-insured, or who lack regular access to dental care, regardless of age and without any identification requirements. At the clinic, patients undergo an initial dental screening to identify their most critical needs and determine a treatment plan before they are routed to the appropriate service area. Services provided at OkMOM include cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, and some root canals and partials. There are no pre-registration requirements for patients.
“The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy is so much more than just a dental event. It's a testament to the power of collective action and the belief that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their circumstances,” said Dr. Paul S. Wood, Oklahoma Dental Association President and practicing oral surgeon in Lawton. “By helping our underserved neighbors at OkMOM, we are promoting health equity and creating a healthier future.”
Since the first event in 2010, dental professionals volunteering their time at the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy have served 18,156 people and performed more than 109,573 dental procedures, the sum of which are valued at more than $15.2 million in donated dental services.
“The most important thing we want guests to know is that this event is open to everyone and that it is a judgement-free environment,” said Dr. Shannon Griffin-Lopez, a Lawtonbased dentist, former ODA President and OkMOM Chair, and 2024 committee member. “We want to take care of patients’ most urgent oral health issues without anyone feeling shame or fear.”
“Our mission at the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation is to advance the oral health of all Oklahomans,” said John Gladden, Delta Dental of Oklahoma Chairman, President and CEO. “In addition to addressing patients’ immediate needs at OkMOM, we help educate them on the importance of oral health and connect them to resources available in their communities for ongoing dental care.” Volunteer translators who are collectively able to speak more than 20 languages including American Sign Language will be on site both days. Patient forms are also available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, and French.
The OkMOM volunteer team is made up of dentists and dental students, hygienists, dental assistants, office staff, x-ray technicians, dental equipment maintenance experts, nurses and nursing students, physicians and physician assistants, pharmacists and pharmacy techs, as well as general volunteers who help with check-in and patient navigation.
The OkMOM clinic is open to all ages, although patients under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Treatment will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis on both Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. each day and due to high demand, attendees should plan to be on site for 6-8 hours. The number of patients treated each day will vary based on many factors, so patients are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to get in line.
There will be no indoor overnight waiting available, so patients should make arrangements to stay warm and safe until the event begins. More patient information can be found online at okmom.org/patient-faq.
“Here in Oklahoma, getting consistent dental treatments can be a challenge for many due to financial or geographic limitations. But we have amazing people and organizations coming together at OkMOM to educate the public and support them in prioritizing their health,” said Dr. Justin Beasley, an Oklahoma-City based dentist who serves as the President of Oklahoma Dental Foundation. “It’s important work, and it’s inspiring to see the impact a healthy smile can have on someone’s life.”
To sponsor the 2024 Oklahoma Mission of Mercy or to donate to the Legacy Fund which supports OkMOM, please visit okmom.org/donate or contact Oklahoma Dental Association via phone at (800) 876-8890. To become a volunteer, please visit okmom.org/volunteers. (Note: Volunteer sign-up closes January 22 and nearly all spots are full.)
The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy is produced by the Oklahoma Dental Association, the Oklahoma Dental Foundation and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation. This event is endorsed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The Oklahoma Dental Association, founded in 1907, has a membership of more than 1,700 dentists (nearly 80% of all Oklahoma dentists). The organization is a constituent of the American Dental Association and exists to advance the art and science of dentistry and to promote public health. ODA provides continuing education for dental professionals, produces dental events and conferences, publishes the ODA Journal, and advocates for better legislation on behalf of Oklahoma dentists and the dental industry. For more information about the ODA, visit www.okda.org. To find a dentist, visit findadentist.ada.org. The Oklahoma Dental Foundation improves the oral health of Oklahomans by funding scientific research, supporting dental education, and increasing patient access to care. The Oklahoma Dental Foundation’s mission is to build partnerships to improve and advance oral health. ODF offers essential dental education and provides life-changing free dental care and oral health education to Oklahomans in need. For more information, visit www.okdf.org.
The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation was established 25 years ago to advance Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s not-for-profit mission to improve the oral health of all Oklahomans. In addition to its free dental care resources, the charitable organization provides grants and funds to free and low-cost clinics, awards scholarships to dental and dental hygiene students and educates thousands of elementary students about oral health and dental disease prevention. The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation is the state’s single largest contributor to dental health and education-related initiatives, and funded entirely by Delta Dental of Oklahoma. For more information, visit ddokfoundation.org.