OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla_ The fourth annual Oklahoma Mission of Mercy
treated a total of 1,786 patients on February 1-2 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the
two-day, free dental clinic.
More than 1,800 people came from all over Oklahoma
and Texas to volunteer their time and talent in Lawton.
The first patient arrived in line at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday,
January 31st at the Great Plains Coliseum. Patients attended from
many cities across Oklahoma and Texas.
"I am so happy with the number of people we were able to help
during this event," said Todd Bridges, DDS, Oklahoma Dental Association
president and Oklahoma Mission of Mercy co-chair. "This year's Mission is
particularly dear to my heart since we helped many people in my home town of
Lawton. I am truly thankful to all of the
volunteers that came to provide dental care."
The total value of the donated dental services was $1,107,138
equaling an average of $619.90 of dental treatment per patient. The total
number of dental procedures was 7,042 which 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 event is presented by the Oklahoma Dental Association,
the Oklahoma Dental Foundation and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health
Foundation. Other sponsors include Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Comanche
County Department of Health, Instumentarium SOREDEX, the McMahon Foundation and
Medical Waste Services.
More than 70 sponsors and donors provided services and food
for the volunteers and patients both days.
Founded in 1907, the Oklahoma Dental Association has a
proud membership of more than 1,500 dentist members. The Association was
established to help foster an awareness of the obligations and responsibilities
of the dental profession to society, to help advance the art and science of
dentistry, and to promote public health and health services in the State of
Oklahoma. For more information, visit www.okda.org
The mission of the Oklahoma Dental Foundation is
eliminating barriers to oral health care for Oklahomans. For more information,
visit www.okdf.org.
The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation is
the philanthropic affiliate of Delta Dental of Oklahoma and is the state's
single largest contributor to dental health and education-related projects and
initiatives, contributing nearly $5 million to help provide greater access to
oral healthcare and education to all citizens of Oklahoma. For more information,
visit www.DDOKFoundation.org.
