Minnesota Mission of Mercy Gives Free Oral Health Cleaning at DECC
DULUTH, Minn. — In 2023, an estimated 27% of Americans were found to not have dental insurance. Although the Minnesota Depart of Health has shown numbers of Minnesotans without dental insurance to be downward. Still the number of older adults without dental healthcare are still on the rise. Thankfully, Minnesota Mission of Mercy is trying to bridge that gap of accessible dental care.
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been to a dentist because we lost our dental insurance,” said Jimmy George, a resident who traveled from Bemidji to Duluth to get his teeth cleaned and checked up. “I’m hoping today this would help me learn a little more about my teeth today and get them fixed for what I need to get done.”
It’s a story that too many people understand too well. Not having the insurance to cover regular health care and dental care visits. But for this weekend, Minnesota Mission of Mercy aims to help close the gap for people in need of oral health care.
“Oral care and overall health are intricately connected,” said President of Delta Dental MN Foundation, Stephanie Albert. “And it’s so important to take care of your mouth so that your overall health can follow along. So we’re happy to have Jimmy here today.”
Minnesota Mission of Mercy has traveled around the state. Starting originally in Mankato in 2012, they’ve helped over 10,000 (10,400) people uphold their oral hygiene. Working on over 50,000 (50,850) dental procedures within their overall eight events.
“We try to hit different regions of the state,” said Cale Strait, a doctor and co-chair of the restorative cleaning area. “A lot of people are suffering from pain and infection and really have limited means to get the help that’s necessary.”
At no-cost, patients that attend are able to receive general cleanings, x-rays, oral surgery extractions, restorative fillings, and root canals on selected front teeth.
“And then we also have prosthodontics that’s taking place for patients who are missing a group of teeth can have them replaced and have a partial denture,” said Cale.
However, patients wouldn’t be able to receive full dentures, root canals on molars, crowns, and extractions on unexposed wisdom teeth. Narcotics will also not be dispensed, but patients are still able to undergo anesthesia if needed.
Hundreds of doctors, assistants, hygienists, and other support staff stand by to help the large expected numbers of community members that arrive. But it’s much more than smiles that organizers and volunteers hope to give to their patients.
“For some people, it really makes a difference in terms of their front teeth and confidence level,” said Tasha Strait, a doctor and co-chair of the restorative cleaning area.
“It takes a village to make Minnesota communities thrive,” said Albert. “We’re hoping to get a thousand to 1,500 over the next two days while we’re here.”
And as for Jimmy George, he’s just one of many who are waiting in line for their free and accessible check-up.
“I think I’m going to try and get one filling done and maybe get my plate relined,” said George. “I got a top plate and they’re going to try and do it for me.”
If you missed out on Minnesota Mission of Mercy’s free cleaning event on Friday, the clinic will return to the DECC Saturday from 5:30 a.m. until they’re out of supplies.
