Free Dental Care Offered in Woodstock

Do you need dental care but can’t find the means to afford it? In today’s down economy, this predicament is more common than ever.

This Friday and Saturday, the Georgia Dental Association delivers help to those in need at the on by hosting the Georgia Mission of Mercy.

GMOM is a 100-chair dental clinic providing free dental care to adults who are suffering from oral problems but can’t afford to pay for treatment.

According to the press release, the two day event, the first of its kind, will provide free dental services for approximately 2000 low-income and no-income adult Georgia residents.

“We’ve done small volunteer things throughout the year, but nothing of this magnitude before,” said Nelda Green, associate executive director of the Georgia Dental Association.

First Lady of Georgia Sandra Deal will serve as the honorary GMOM event chair when she tours the clinic and delivers the official kickoff statement mid-morning to show her support for the cause.

“We have huge partnerships with sponsoring organizations, community organizations, churches and volunteers,” Green said.

Led by Dr. Karen Stockwell and Dr. Jonathan Dubin, both with years of experience comforting those in need around the world, more than 1,500 volunteers will donate their time and expertise at the event.

Services, which include cleanings, fillings, extractions, some lab work, and limited root canal therapy, will be provided by 300 top dental professionals including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.

Additionally, 1,200 volunteers, including EMT’s, other medical professionals and community members from all around Georgia will give their time to the cause. 

Doors will open promptly at 5 a.m. and service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

GMOM recommends early arrival as 1,000 patients will be seen each day with the day’s patient limit likely reached by late morning. 

“We’re expecting people will line up the night before,” Green said. 

Many adults put off going to the dentist, especially in today’s economy which leaves many adults without resources for their dental care. It's a tremendous problem, especially since the State does not provide dental services for adults as they do for children, Green said.

While patients wait, they will have the opportunity to learn about dental care and educate themselves on preventative methods to avoid oral disease.

“It’s a critical and important part of the event,” Green said.

Additionally, the event seeks to raise awareness of the difficulty low-income Georgian adults face in accessing critical dental care and challenges patients, policymakers, elected officials and dental professionals to develop a safety net for adults.

It’s a well-known fact that oral disease contributes to many other health problems including heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans, making it a high priority healthcare need, according to the American Heart Association.

The Georgia Dental Association also stated increased access to dental care could also save the state millions of dollars by preventing state-funded emergency room visits that treat only the symptoms of oral pain, not the underlying cause.

“The big focus is patient education,” Green said. “Even if you can’t afford dental care, you can help yourself have a happy mouth.”