2014 ISDS Mission of Mercy in Peoria, IL

I’m proud to report that on June 21st I took part in the Illinois Dental Society’s 3rd Mission of Mercy (MOM) event in Peoria, Illinois.  This fantastic event is held every two years in a different Illinois location and is one of my favorite opportunities to volunteer my dental skills.  Some of you may remember the 2nd Quarter 2012 OHCP Newsletter (all past newsletter issues are available on our website by the way) when Tammie, Jenny and I volunteered at 2012 MOM held at the Lake Country fairgrounds in Grayslake, IL.  Well, I’m proud to say the 2014 MOM was even bigger and better!!!  With military precision that would make Hawkeye, Trapper John, and even the Colonel proud, the ISDS crew executed a “M*A*S*H” style event that produced over ONE MILLION DOLLARS of dental services COMPLETELY FREE to those who attended.  Prospective patients were sleeping under the stars outside the Peoria Civic Center a day before the event to make sure they had a place in line when the drills started whirring at 6:30am on both Friday and Saturday.  The event is really just a humongous “popup” modern dental office!  Each day, patients would start by filling out registration/medical history paperwork and then be transferred to different dental teams by a great group of volunteer “runners.”  Next stop after registration was Triage where patients received an exam, diagnosis, and their proposed treatment recommendations from the triage team of dentists.  Quite a few dental services are offered at each MOM including hygiene, fillings, root canals, extractions (both regular and wisdom teeth), and even limited laboratory services such as denture repair and partial denture fabrication.  With treatment plan in hand, the patients were then transferred to the anesthesia team (my team this year) where we would numb the appropriate areas.  Once numb, the patients were transferred for fillings, oral surgery, or root canals.  All this was done with the help of a massive sterilization and restocking team keeping all instruments sterile and necessary accessories like gloves, masks, and disinfectant wipes in steady supply.  It went off without a hitch and was quite an organizational feat to behold!!!  To give you an idea of the magnitude of this two-day event, here are some event statistics:

Statistics for the 2014 Mission of Mercy                         

1,000 Volunteers
1,951 Patient visits                        
$1,072,190.10 in treatment performed 
1,990 extracted teeth                        
1,265 fillings                        
765 hygiene visits                        
135 partial dentures                        
377 x-rays                        
61 root canals   

I am proud to actively participate in numerous volunteer events/organizations that assist those in need on a local, regional, and statewide level.  The ISDS MOM is certainly the grandest of them all.  My hat goes off to all those involved with this great event:  the ISDS planning committee, the volunteers (dentists, hygienists, assistants, staff, and fantastic non-dental trained runners), and the corporate donators of TONS of cutting-edge dental materials and dental equipment, but most of all my hat goes off to the patients.  Such a grateful group of people.  Hugs, handshakes, and dozens of “God bless you doctor” from thankful patients throughout the event.  Frankly, it reminds me of the great group of patients that I am fortunate to serve right here in Downers Grove.  That is why I volunteer, that is why I support organized dental groups like the Illinois State Dental Society, and that is what makes me love this profession so much.  Simply put, THAT is why I’m a dentist.  My dental “soul” is certainly refueled beyond capacity at each MOM and I’m proud to have been a tiny part in this big event.  If you are interested in learning more about The ISDS MOM, or wish to volunteer, please visit their website at: http://www.isds.org/isdsfoundation/imom.asp or feel free to contact at the email below.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jackson