Things You'll Need:
- Transportation to the Kansas Missions of Mercy current location
- Someone to drive you home if you have extensive dental work completed
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Step 1
Contact the Kansas Dental Foundation. This foundation was established to help those with dental needs find treatment. The foundation has several different programs to help those who need dental care (see Resources below).
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Step 2
Learn about the Kansas Mission of Mercy. This is a once a year event that provides three days of free dental care to people in Kansas. Each year Kansas Missions of Mercy (KMOM) is held in a different location. More than 10 thousand people have received dental care free in the years KMOM has been held.
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Step 3
Find out where the KMOM event is to be held. Locations have ranged from Kansas City to Garden City, with many locations in between. Be willing to drive to get to the location. Even with the high cost of gas, the cost of dental care (or the lack of dental care) is even higher.
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Step 4
Make a plan to attend KMOM. Free dental care does not mean easy dental care. Planning ahead will make attending the dental event less hassle.
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Step 1
Arrive at the location of KMOM early. Lines are often long and have been known to start forming the night prior to the event. While it is not necessary to camp out overnight, do arrive at least two hours prior to the doors opening. You will wait either way.
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Step 2
Be patient. All staff members are volunteers. Volunteers range from dentists and hygienists to community members. Most are taking personal vacation time from their paid jobs to be at this event. Those who have had dental work completed often volunteer as well.
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Step 3
Each patient gives a staff person their health history. After this history is completed, the patient will receive a complete dental screening to determine dental needs. Patients may receive as little as a teeth cleaning to as much as full dentures depending on the condition of their teeth.
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Step 4
Plan on waiting some more. Bring reading materials, a portable video game or a pillow and blanket. Rows of dentists and hygienists set up shop, but with hundreds of people waiting, it will be awhile. To make the wait easier, focus on the beautiful smile that will be yours as the end result.
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Step 5
A volunteer will call your name, walk you to the appropriate dentists and wait for you to complete your treatment if necessary. Children at KMOM have an adult escort at all times if there parent is also receiving treatment.
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Step 6
Treatment is completed. If the dental work required is complex and requires more steps, a patient may be asked to come back on the next day or referred out to a dentist who will finish up the work on a volunteer basis.
Comments
kdcf-kmom said
on 2/18/2009 The Kansas Mission of Mercy provides fillings extractions, and dental hygiene to both children and adults, but does not provide dentures.-KDCF/KMOM staff
kdcf-kmom said
on 2/18/2009 The Kansas Mission of Mercy provides fillings extractions, and dental hygiene to both children and adults, but does not provide dentures.