Have you suffered through a painful toothache or emergency root canal? Or have you ever had to wait a few days to get an appointment for some relief? Now imagine you were in terrible pain so you couldn't sleep or relax, had no insurance, and were worried you couldn’t afford to see a dentist.
Rogelia Campos coordinates dental appointments at area clinics for UCM clients. That's the situation facing the more than 200 people on UCM's dental waiting list. We all know dental procedures tend to be very expensive, even with dental insurance. Dental infections can often lead to more serious infections and deteriorate health overall – including kidney infections, diabetes complications, and even death.
"Some of our clients are in pain, do not have insurance, and can't afford low-cost dental clinics. Every week, our list gets longer," explains UCM Social Services Counselor Rogelia Campos.
Every March, Rogelia coordinates appointments for UCM clients with the Northern Virginia Mission of Mercy mobile clinic, which is held over a weekend at the Medical Education campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
"Some of our clients are in pain, do not have insurance, and can't afford low-cost dental clinics. Every week, our list gets longer," explains UCM Social Services Counselor Rogelia Campos.
Every March, Rogelia coordinates appointments for UCM clients with the Northern Virginia Mission of Mercy mobile clinic, which is held over a weekend at the Medical Education campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
Hundreds of dentists, hygienists, and related professionals volunteer their services, in collaboration with Northern Virginia Dental Society and the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, whose mission is to provide increased access to dental care to underserved Virginians. Statewide, every year Mission of Mercy serves an average 4,000 patients via local nonprofit agency referrals. This year, UCM was provided 40 appointments for clients in need.
“Most of our clients served at Mission of Mercy had been on our waiting list for many weeks,” says Rogelia. "Once they get help, they are so grateful. I remember one gentleman who had his dentures repaired. He told me he was so relieved. He was smiling the biggest I have ever seen. I could see new confidence on his happy face."
"Another patient who works in construction told me: 'At least now I can sleep at night. For months I haven't been able to stay asleep because of the pain. I need to start my job early, so you can imagine how tired I always was. Now I feel so much better and can do my job.' "
“Most of our clients served at Mission of Mercy had been on our waiting list for many weeks,” says Rogelia. "Once they get help, they are so grateful. I remember one gentleman who had his dentures repaired. He told me he was so relieved. He was smiling the biggest I have ever seen. I could see new confidence on his happy face."
"Another patient who works in construction told me: 'At least now I can sleep at night. For months I haven't been able to stay asleep because of the pain. I need to start my job early, so you can imagine how tired I always was. Now I feel so much better and can do my job.' "
We are grateful to the team at Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry for the generous donation of time and talent at its annual UCM Dental Day. Next month, the dentists and support staff at Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry will devote a half day of pro bono work to provide emergency dental services for UCM cleints at their office. At last year's in-service day, 19 clients received much appreciated pain relief, with donated services valued at more than $10,000.
"We anticipate 25 more people with dental emergencies will be helped next month with Dr. Geren and Dr. Mady," says Rogelia. "Thanks to these medical partners, our clients receive compassionate care, at no cost to them. It is such tremendous relief for their physical pain and their emotional stress."
We appreciate Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry for its ongoing pro bono support and its annual sponsorship of the UCM Give From The Heart Gala!
(Mar. 2017 E-news)
"We anticipate 25 more people with dental emergencies will be helped next month with Dr. Geren and Dr. Mady," says Rogelia. "Thanks to these medical partners, our clients receive compassionate care, at no cost to them. It is such tremendous relief for their physical pain and their emotional stress."
We appreciate Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry for its ongoing pro bono support and its annual sponsorship of the UCM Give From The Heart Gala!
(Mar. 2017 E-news)
