Community Partners

Mission of Mercy  (www.westermdmom.org)

The Western Maryland Mission of Mercy is a two-day free dental clinic that will provide dental services to people who could not otherwise afford dental care. The goal of this project is to provide services to adults over the age of 19.

The Mission of Mercy program was started by Dr. Terry Dickenson, Executive Director of the Virginia Dental Association in 2000. The project has grown tremendously. Mission of Mercy free dental clinics are now held in several states across the country. In 2011, Allegany County will hold the second Mission of Mercy in Maryland. (The first was in Allegany Counyt in 2010.)

All dental services are provided by volunteers. Each free clinic needs the following people to volunteer: dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, dental students, oral surgeons, medical doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and community members. Community volunteers are needed for this project to be successful. You do not need any medical training in order to participate. Volunteers are needed to help with security, parking, registration and meals. 

A special effort will be made at this clinic to ensure that people seeking treatment will also have access to existing resources and health delivery systems. We are encouraging the participation of all relevant local agencies from Allegany and Garrett counties as well as those from neighboring West Virginia and Pennsylvania.