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BCD teams with others for Texas Mission of Mercy two-day event
 Baylor College of Dentistry partnered with Texas
Dentists for Healthy Smiles, the Texas Dental Association and the Dallas County Dental Society to provide dental care during the Texas Mission of Mercy event Feb. 20-21 at The Science Place in Dallas' Fair Park.
TMOM brings restorative dental care to underserved areas of Texas. Hundreds of dental professionals and other volunteers from across the state converge for several days at the TMOM-designated
site to donate their professional services. Their goal is to relieve immediate pain and restore smiles at no cost to those who could not otherwise afford it. In past years, more
than 1,000 patients have received treatment during the two-day events.
Adults were the primary recipients of care on Feb. 20. On Feb. 21, the event was linked with the American Dental Association's national "Give Kids a Smile" campaign.
All care was provided free of charge.
"In just 15 hours of clinic time, we delivered almost $150,000 in donated dental care to 544 patients," said Dr. Dan Jones (BCD '89), professor and chair of public health
sciences. "This event offered an opportunity for BCD to partner with our colleagues in local and state dental associations to provide much-needed care for the people of our
community. We were proud to participate because the combined resources of these groups make it possible to do more than any of us could alone."
There were four stations set up at The Science Place, beginning with registration where patients' medical histories were taken. Next, patients went to the triage area where their
oral health needs were assessed, treatment plans developed and necessary X-rays taken. Then they were taken to the patient waiting area and proceeded to the treatment
area where dentists provided necessary care in one of the 28 operatories.
Volunteers included DCDS members and members of the practicing dental community who provided care both days. The entire BCD pediatric dentistry department was on
hand to provide care during the Feb. 21 event. Many other BCD faculty, staff and students in all dental and dental hygiene classes participated as well. The college's
information technology services department set up the electronic patient record system, and the Office of Social Services contacted patients for appointments.
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