Ralph L. Howell, Jr., DDS, MAGD

Oral Health Concerns  Dental caries is the single most common chronic disease in childhood 5 times more common than asthma, 7 times more common than hay fever  Chronic diseases such as diabetes compromise oral health care and exacerbate existing health problems U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. NIH Publication No , May 2003.

Need in Virginia  One-in-five Virginians live in an underserved area and lack access to or means of dental care  Over 3 million Virginians do not have dental insurance  Only 71 of Virginia’s 135 communities have a dental safety net clinic-3 in Western Tidewater MOM Guidebook.

NIH’s Call to Action to Promote Oral Health  To promote oral health  To improve quality of life  To eliminate oral health disparities U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. NIH Publication No , May 2003.

Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project  Created by VDA Executive Director Terry Dickinson  Providing care since July 2000  MOM projects were designed to bring free dental care to communities of uninsured and underinsured  Virginia participates in 5-8 projects/ year  Projects range from 1-3 days  Over 26 states have replicated the MOM model to bring care to those in need across the country

Typical MOM Project  On average, a 1-day project sees 500 patients and utilizes 250 volunteers  Treatment ranges from extractions, fillings, and routine dental examinations  Each patient receives basic health screenings which monitor blood pressure and blood sugar

First MOM Project—Wise

VDH Van for treating Children

Larrell Denture Crew--Wise

Wise County MOM Project

Eastern Shore MOM Project

Break Room on Eastern Shore

Dental Students—Eastern Shore MOM Project

Volunteer Registration

Gloucester MOM Project

Roanoke MOM Project

MOM in Suffolk  March 7-8, 2014 at KFMS  50 chair project- offering basic medical screenings, oral health screenings, and provide care to at least 500 patients  Our goal is to reach those uninsured and underinsured, the elderly and disabled within the Suffolk area and the surrounding communities

Who can receive care?  Adult Patients  Children—possibility

What services are offered?  Medical Screening  Dental Screening  Cleanings  Fillings  Extractions  Limited other services

Current Needs  Financial Support  Volunteer Support  Food

Who can Volunteer?  Business Professionals  Medical Professionals  Dental Professionals  Support Professionals  Service Professionals  Youth Support

How to Volunteer   Serve on the Committee  Lauren Alphin

Sponsors  Obici Healthcare Foundation  Sentara Obici Hospital  Suffolk Public Schools  City of Suffolk  Western Tidewater Free Clinic  Virginia Dental Association  Virginia Dental Association Foundation  Virginia Commonwealth University

Kings Fork Middle School March 7-8, 2014

MOM: Changing Lives  Since 2000, over 50,000 patients have been provided with over $26 million  Improved overall health has been recorded as a result of treatment received via MOM