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 Baylor College of
Dentistry partnered with Texas Dentists for Healthy Smiles, the Dallas County Dental Society and The Science Place to provide dental care during the second annual Texas Mission of Mercy event Feb. 25-26 at Dallas' Fair Park.
TMOM brings restorative dental care to underserved patients in Texas. Hundreds of dental professionals and other volunteers from across the state converge for several days at TMOM-designated
sites to donate their professional services. Their goal is to relieve immediate pain and restore smiles at no cost to those who could not otherwise afford it.
 During the Dallas event, adults were the primary
recipients of care on Feb. 25. Pediatric dental patients were the focus on Feb. 26. The BCD pediatric dentistry department was on had for that event, which was linked with the American Dental
Association's national "Give Kids a Smile" campaign. All care was provided free of charge.
"In just 19 hours of clinic time, we delivered over $253,000 in donated dental care to 669 patients," said Dr. Dan Jones (BCD '89), professor and chair of public health sciences.
"This event offered an opportunity for BCD to partner with our colleagues in local and state dental associations to provide much-needed care for the people of our community. We were proud
to participate because the combined resources of these groups make it possible to do more than any of us could alone."
 There were four stations set up
at The Science Place (a children's museum), beginning with registration where patients' medical histories and vital signs were recorded. Next, patients went to the triage area where their oral health needs were
assessed, treatment plans developed and necessary X-rays taken. Then they were taken to the patient waiting area and proceeded to the treatment area where dentists provided necessary care in one of the 30 operatories.
BCD first participated in the event last year when more than $150,000 was provided to 544 patients. "It was wonderful to increase the number of patients served and services provided this year," Jones said. "Today,
more than 660 Texans have healthier lives as a result of the efforts of our volunteers."
The college's Office of Social Services contacted patients for appointments and scheduled volunteers, who included BCD dental and dental hygiene students, faculty and staff as well as DCDS members and
members of the practicing dental community. Plus, tracking patient care was managed easily thanks to the electronic patient record system that was developed for this event last year by the college's information
technology services department.
"BCD's commitment to excellence in outreach was demonstrated admirably during this event," Jones said. "Everyone who participated knew they were making a tangible difference in the lives of the patients we served.
"That makes us smile."
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