Free Dental Services for Those in Need, Clinic March 23-24
February 2012
“Thank you for helping to get me out of pain.”
“It’s been about five years since I saw a dentist – I couldn’t afford it.”
“I’m handsome now!”
- Patients at 2011 Mission of Mercy free dental clinic
Similar expressions of appreciation are expected to be heard repeatedly in March at a free statewide dental clinic, thanks, in part, to $45,400 in grants awarded by the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
The fifth Connecticut Mission of Mercy clinic will be held on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24, at the O’Neill Center, Western Connecticut State University, West Side Campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury. The first-come, first-served clinic opens at 6 a.m. each day.
The clinic, operated by the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach in collaboration with the Connecticut State Dental Association, is held in a different location each year. Dental services are provided free to anyone, including children, who are without dental insurance and in a low-income situation.
A report by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated nearly one of every four Americans ages 20 to 64 have untreated tooth decay.
The first clinic was held in April 2008 in Tolland followed by clinics in New Haven and Middletown. At last year’s event in Waterbury, 1,683 dental professionals and volunteers provided $1.2 million in services to 1,852 patients. Services ranged from cleanings to root canals and extractions.
“Mission of Mercy is successful due to the generosity of our friends in the business and not-for-profit world,” said Dr. Michael Perl, co-chair of the project. “Their donations enable us to provide free dental care to people who for whatever reason, are not able to afford care at this time. We thank them for their kindness, and want them to feel proud in knowing that these grants will make thousands of people smile next March.”
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region, dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents. The Hartford Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families and in 2011 awarded grants of more than $28 million to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations. For more information about the Hartford Foundation, and its strategic plan, Accelerate Success, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.