For more information about the Iowa Mission of Mercy, please visit our website at www.iowamom.org. Photos to use :.
Kathy Salisbury, Program Manager, Iowa Dental Foundation
As parents, each day brings challenges to balance the needs of themselves and their children and their financial resources. When it comes to oral health care, sometimes difficult decisions must be made. Many people face barriers to receiving adequate oral health care. Perhaps dental insurance is not offered by an employer or, even if there is insurance, the deductibles and outof-pocket co-pays are out of reach financially. In today’s economy, making decisions about oral health care is even more challenging. Parents will often forgo their own oral health to make sure their children receive at least a minimum amount of care. Unfortunately, neglecting one’s oral health care can lead to significant medical issues. Research shows are no financial requirements for the event; however, there may be certain medical conditions which linkages between poor oral health and heart and lung prevent a patient from receiving treatment. disease, diabetes, stroke, and pre-term low birth weight. Both children and adults can experience difficulty eatFor more information about the Iowa Mission of Mercy, please visit our website at www.iowamom.org. ing, speaking, and may have diminished self esteem. Photos to use :. The Iowa Mission of Mercy was created in 2008 to treat adults and children who face challenges in ob taining dental care. The purpose of the 2012 Iowa MOM is to provide free dental care to those in need throughout maintained, and torn down after the event. Free day the Quad Cities area and beyond. Patients will receive care is provided for children while their parents and/or treatment for their most urgent dental needs the day they family members receive care. “This is a very rewardcome for treatment. Dental health professionals will ing way for both dental professionals and the public to perform dental exams, remove teeth, provide fillings, donate their time and skills,” says Dr. Kyle Gagliardo, cleanings and replacement of one or more teeth with a Bettendorf dentist and Mission of Mercy volunteer. “flippers.” Patients are also educated on the proper care “We try to help the patients with their most important of their teeth. Since the first Iowa MOM, over 5,600 problem, and they are very appreciative.” patients have received over $3.5 million in free dental For the first time, the Iowa Mission of Mercy care. is coming to the Quad Cities area. Iowa MOM will The Iowa MOM is an event of epic proportions be held Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, 2012, at requiring well over the River Center in downtown Davenport. The clinic 1,200 volunteers, in- opens at 6:00 a.m. each morning and patients will be cluding dentists, den- seen on a first come, first served basis until the clinic tal hygienists, dental reaches capacity. Many people start standing in line 24 assistants, as well as hours prior to the event to ensure they are seen, so it is other volunteers, to recommended that people arrive early and plan to spend serve the 1,300+ pa- several hours at the clinic. There are no financial retients that will be seen quirements for the event; however, there may be certain during the two day medical conditions which prevent a patient from receivevent. A field dental ing treatment. clinic with 100 dental For more information about the Iowa Mission of chairs, sterilization, Mercy, please visit our website at www.iowamom.org. X-ray, laboratory, and triage areas are set up, 20
august 2012 • QC Family Focus