Free dental clinic in Wise still needs volunteers for July event

Every summer, a pop-up dental clinic sets up shop for two days in Wise, where residents line up to receive free cleanings, fillings and extractions.

Organized by the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, the clinic depends on volunteer dentists from across the state to meet demand in Southwest Virginia, where access to dental care remains limited.

The clinic is part of the association’s Mission of Mercy initiative, and is hosted in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Last year, more than 600 patients received treatment at the event, and even more are expected at this year’s clinic, scheduled for July 18 and 19, said Tara Quinn, executive director of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation.

Volunteers come from across Virginia, including the Richmond area and Northern Virginia. Dental students from VCU also return each year, gaining hands-on experience while serving a region in need.

“That’s one of the really heartwarming things about this event,” Quinn said. “We really align in our missions. The students get to lean into service learning. It’s really fun to see people come out and volunteer.” 

A critical need for dental care

Access to dental care has long been a challenge in far Southwest Virginia. In 2022, the region had just 29 dentists per 100,000 people, less than half the statewide average of 63, according to data from Virginia Health Catalyst. 

The Mission of Mercy program was launched in 2000 to address this gap and bring free dental services to rural and underserved communities across the state. 

As of mid-May, organizers had recruited about 33 dentists to participate in the Wise event, but about seven more general dentists are still needed to meet the demand, Quinn said.

These dentists will primarily perform exams and fill cavities. Extractions will be done when necessary. In years past, extractions were more common, but the focus has shifted as patients are increasingly receiving earlier care, Quinn said.

The clinic also needs about 10 more volunteers to help with pharmacy and dental lab support. All other roles have been filled. In total, 131 dental care workers have committed to attending.  

Those interested in volunteering can sign up on the Virginia Dental Association Foundation’s event page. 

Services offered

The clinic provides cleanings, fillings, exams and extractions. Services are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but patients can pre-register to save time, Quinn said.

Denture services are not offered at the event, but patients who need them will be referred to the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center in Abingdon, which provides affordable dental care to uninsured and underserved residents.

Funding and support

The annual clinic costs about $60,000 to host and is funded through a mix of state support and corporate sponsorships. Donations from individuals are also welcome.

To support the event financially, donors can make a contribution through the Virginia Dental Association Foundation website.