Meeting Community Dental Care Needs through the Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project

For 15 years, Atlantic Dental Care dentists have helped meet a significant need for dental care by supporting the local Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project in collaboration with the Virginia Dental Association Foundation.

More than 47 percent of Virginians lack dental insurance. And dozens of communities have no dental safety net provider. Thousands of underserved people suffer pain, discomfort and embarrassment because they cannot find free or affordable oral health care.

The MOM program operates mobile clinics, enlisting dentists, dental students and other volunteers to provide preventive, restorative and surgical dental treatments. The one-day event offers free medical and dental triage, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions and limited additional procedures, free to adults on a first-come, first-serve basis. In the past years, Atlantic Dental Care’s MOM Projects have treated about 2,000 people in Hampton Roads at MOM project events held at locations in Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Yorktown.

“I really enjoy the energy of everyone volunteering and the response from the patients. We are able to lift them up and help them with their problem. They leave feeling fulfilled, and you feel really good about it. You really feel accomplished,” said Dr. Clay Hendricks, a longtime MOM supporter and past Chairman of Atlantic Dental Care.

Past MOM project events:

2018 Missions of Mercy Project: April 28, 2018 at I.C. Norcom High School, Portsmouth, VA
2017 Missions of Mercy Project: March 25, 2017 at York High School, Yorktown, VA
2016 Missions of Mercy Project: April 30, 2016 at Green Run High School, Virginia Beach, VA