On April 13 and 14, Mission of Mercy visited the Conway community and offered their annual free dental services to over 1,400 people, in an effort to teach patients about the importance of dental health and hygiene and give free medical treatment to those who need it most.
In 2006, the Arkansas Dental Association started Mission of Mercy, a yearly service to all Arkansans seeking dental care, primarily for those without insurance or underserved.
The event is not only for the Conway community but anyone needing help, and while most of the patients were from Arkansas, there were also many from surrounding states.
Since 2006, Mission of Mercy helped many Arkansans, but within the last few, a new barrier arose: COVID-19.
“We’re seeing a lot of patients who haven’t had cleanings in three-plus years. With COVID and everything, we didn’t have this, and I look forward to this every year,” dental hygienist Richard Robinson said. “A lot of patients have had their oral health neglected. A lot of patients need crowns and root canals, and I’m glad this is here today so we can assist those patients who need it most.”
The services include cleanings, extractions, X-rays and fillings for both adults and children in need of help.
Dr. Terry Fiddler, who is also a UCA board of trustees member, took part in the event.
“You don’t have to go outside of Arkansas to do mission work, you know, because these people are hurting. When you have a toothache you go get it done, but these people can’t afford it. There are a lot of these people,” Fiddler said. “This year, after COVID, they haven’t had dental treatment for three years. Seeing some of what these people look like and hurting, breaks your heart.”
Fiddler, a Conway resident, and general dentistry specialist has worked with Mission of Mercy for years.
With over 700 volunteers, including 125 dental hygienists, 140 dental assistants, four physicians, 12 pharmacists, 400 volunteers, 55 nurses from the UCA nursing program and 120 dentists, Mission of Mercy provided over $1.5 million worth of free dental services to the community.
A volunteer X-rays a patient. Along with X-rays, the event provided cleanings, extractions and fillings.
Fiddler, alongside many other dentists and physicians, explained that Mission of Mercy has a long-term effect on those that come to their clinics.
“We’re trying to give them an education on oral hygiene. You know, we have quite a few children that are brought in here. If you convince the adults to have good hygiene, the children will,” he said.
From Fiddler’s perspective, the true importance of the clinic is to educate and heal these people that need help, and by doing so, Mission of Mercy and its volunteers are impacting the community in more ways than one.
“We can give, let them leave here with an education on how to take care of their teeth. Then, that keeps people from having to come back here again,” he said.
The annual event is open to all, and according to Fiddler, the only requirement is to have teeth.