Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic Underway

(KNSI) – Minnesota Mission of Mercy volunteers are filling the River’s Edge Convention Center today and tomorrow to provide free dental care.

The goal is to help as many as 2,000 patients. Chairman Dr. Alejandro Aguirre says the event began at 5:30 this morning.

“Dental care will be offered to adults and children of all ages on a first-come-first-serve basis. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, of course. We encourage you to arrive early because we’re going to treat patients until we reach capacity.”

Aguirre says there are some limits to the number of services that can be provided. Anything that would require a return visit just isn’t possible.

“Pretty much anything we could do in one day we will offer. For example, fillings, root canals in designated teeth meaning front teeth. You know, easy root canals. Some, we call it slippers…easy removable partial dentures for front teeth. Easy things that you can do in one day.”

Minnesota Mission of Mercy is co-sponsored by the Minnesota Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Foundation. The first event of its kind was held in Virginia and spread to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, beginning in 2012. Events occur every two years. This is the first one ever in central Minnesota.

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