CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Residents across the Hampton Roads community were able to receive free dental extractions during a weekend clinic in Chesapeake.
The Virginia Dental Association Foundation’s (VDAF) Mission of Mission (MOM) program partnered with the Chesapeake Care Clinic (CCC) to provide about 100 free dental extractions on Friday and Saturday at the Chesapeake Care Clinic on S. Military Highway in Chesapeake.
Officials say students from the VCU School of Dentistry were able to give free extractions to 70 patients during the event apart from the exams and oral cancer screenings. The total value of care provided by dental students and volunteer dentists was $53,210.
Founded in 1996 as the charitable and outreach arm of the Virginia Dental Association, the VDAF is a nonprofit organization aiming to provide access to dental care for underserved and underinsured residents in Virginia.
Even with health insurance, dental care is still not affordable and accessible to everyone. There are an estimated 77,000 uninsured adults in Hampton Roads alone.
The VDAF provides free dental care through various direct service programs, including the Mission of Mercy (MOM) mobile dental projects, Donated Dental Services (DDS), and Give Kids a Smile!.