If you are in the area around Portland, Oregon a dental clinic is coming to the Convention Center November 25-26th.
Oregon Mission of Mercy (OrMOM) is a large-scale dental clinic where dental treatment is provided at no cost to individuals who cannot access and/or afford dental care. This event is completely volunteer driven and is possible because of the generous support of OrMOM partners.
Who Should Come
Adults and children
If you do not have enough money to pay for dental care
If you do not have a regular dentist
Dates
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Time
Come early! We'll open the clinic doors at 4:00 am.
Treatment will be performed from 6 am - 6 pm on both days.
No appointments will be taken or are necessary.
Patients are seen on a first come - first serve basis.
The number of patients seen will be limited by clinic capacity.
Here is where the the disabled and working come into problems with this event. I can't stand out in the weather for hours before opening. And workers have little time to do the same.
What can I expect at OrMOM?
Come prepared for the weather when waiting in line, and have a plan to store your gear (tent, sleeping bag, blankets) while you are in the clinic, as large bags will not be permited.
Once capacity has been reached, the clinic doors will be closed and a sign will be placed outside as notification to others. This process will repeat on the second morning. At the 2010 clinic, we were able to treat approximately 750 patients on Monday and 800 on Tuesday. In 2011, we treated 1,000 people each day. In 2012, we treated about 600 people each day. We expect to have larger clinic capcity and 2013, and our goal is to treat 1,500 - 2,000 people each day.
Once inside, patients will be seated and given a name tag and a number that corresponds with their place in line. Patients must maintain their place in line, in both the waiting room and clinic, and cannot be gone for a long period of time for any reason. They will be escorted, as necessary, by a volunteer for restroom and smoking breaks. Dental and dental hygiene students will be in the waiting area to talk with every patient about proper oral health care and brushing techniques.
Once they are seated, patients will be given a registration/release form to complete. Note that we will not be checking IDs, and any demographic information collected will only be used in aggregate, so that we have statistics about our patient population. Once they are registered, patients will be taken, in order, to medical triage. Their blood pressure will be taken and questions will be asked to determine that they are fit to safely receive dental treatment. From medical triage, they will be escorted to dental triage where a dentist will examine them and discuss recommended treatment. After dental triage, patients will be taken to routing, where another dentist will confirm the decision made in dental triage and hand the patient a numbered card that tells the patient their place in line for the appropriate treatment area. Patients, as necessary, will be taken to the x-ray department before they receive treatment. Once patients have received treatment, they will be escorted, as appropriate, to a post-op area where a dentist or dental student will explain proper post-treatment care and answer any questions. From there, all patients will take a short exit survey and then be escorted back outside.
Each registered patient that is healthy enough to receive treatment is guaranteed one service at OrMOM. We, unfortunately, may not be able to take care of all of your dental needs, but will do our best to get you out of pain.