“ We had 1,165 volunteers this year , and we had approximately 140 dentists and about 100 hygienists . With the patients knowing it ’ s happening every year , the media knowing it ’ s happening every year , and more importantly , these clinicians realize what a valuable asset this is for the Pittsburgh region … And the more dentists and hygienists we have , the more people we treat .”
Besides the vital care and pain relief , Young said patients are getting a tremendous amount of value , with treatment they would never be able to access otherwise .
“ For each patient we provided a value of $ 1,037 for each patient , and that level of cost is a reach for these folks ,” he said . “ They don ’ t have to decide ‘ do I get the dental work done or do I feed the kids or do I pay the rent ?’, and that ’ s a very powerful value and that ’ s why we are doing this for them .”
The next Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh event is scheduled for June 22-24 , 2023 , at the David L Lawrence Convention Center .
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 29