300 Main Street, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001
Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm, Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Mission Statement
The Iowa Dental Foundation was established in 1994 as a nonprofit foundation to benefit the general public. The IDF vision is to be the primary facilitator of dental health programs in Iowa and its mission is to create opportunities that improve the oral health of Iowans.
The IDF funds a variety of programs, including:
Coordinating community events that provide free dental care services
Granting scholarships that assist qualified persons obtain instruction and training in dental studies higher education
mplementing a new donated dental service program for underserved children (2016)
Conducting programs and seminars
Promoting research and education in areas of interest to the practice of dentistry
The primary program of the IDF is the highly successful Iowa Mission of Mercy (Iowa MOM). Since the first Iowa MOM in 2008, over 10,700 patients from all areas of the state and beyond have received free dental care totaling over $7.5 million.
The scholarship program was the first project taken on by the IDF, and we have given over $128,000 to students interested in studies in the dental profession.
Number of Employees
The Iowa Dental Foundation is an affiliate of the Iowa Dental Association and is staffed by one full-time Program Manager. The Foundation is run by a seven-member Board of Directors.
The Iowa Mission of Mercy
Community Need
Barriers to oral health care for the under- and uninsured is a challenge throughout the country. Many Iowans lack dental insurance due to a variety of reasons or if they do have dental insurance, are simply unable to afford out-of-pocket co-pays and deductibles. In today’s economy, spending money on adequate oral health is a low priority.
According to a Harris poll conducted in 2013, 48% of lower income adults haven’t been to the dentist in more than a year. Further, 20% of adults earning less than $30k haven’t visited a dentist in over 5 years. Thirty six percent (36%) of lower income adults have lived with an untreated cavity for some time causing pain. Emergency rooms are finding more individuals seeking treatment for oral health care. According to the same Harris poll, 18% of lower-income people sought treatment for dental pain in an ER; however, only 6% of those who went were able to have their dental problem solved.
According to the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, oral diseases affect health and well-being throughout one’s life. Research links periodontal disease to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. Research conducted by New York University in 2010 revealed long-term evidence that linked gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease, finding that gum disease could increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction. When individuals have diseased teeth and/or gums, their overall health can be compromised. They may have difficulty eating or speaking. Their self- esteem can be negatively affected, particularly if they have missing teeth. Having missing teeth can, at times, deter individuals from seeking employment or from employers hiring them. Oral health care is one of the most-often-reported unmet health care needs in the United States.
The Project
The Iowa Mission of Mercy is a large scale, two-day dental community dental clinic where dental professionals and general volunteers donate their time to provide free oral health care to individuals who face barriers to receiving dental care. A full-service field dental clinic with 100 dental operatories is set up and patients are treated on a first come, first served basis.
The 2016 Iowa Mission of Mercy will be held September 23 & 24, 2016 at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque and is being sponsored in part by the City of Dubuque. Dr. Heyo Tjarks, a long time dentist in Dubuque, is chairing this year’s event.
Iowa MOM is not designed to solve all of the oral health needs of individuals: its objective is to identify and address a patient’s most acute, immediate oral health care needs. Patients attending Iowa MOM will receive access to oral health services including a health screening, dental triage, and referral to the dental area which is most needed – hygiene, pediatrics, restorative/endodontic, oral surgery, or lab services. Patients will also receive no cost post-operative prescriptions, resources for free follow-up care within 30 days of treatment and information about appropriate oral health and hygiene focused on prevention and best practices. Lastly, a resource booklet is provided to patients with information about taking care of their teeth and their children’s teeth and resources for free or low-cost oral care available in their area.
Volunteer Involvement
A local event committee comprised of local dentists and community leaders is formed each year to plan the logistics, recruit volunteers, and assist in obtaining funds and in-kind donations for the event. An executive committee meets regularly in person or via conference call to plan the clinical aspects of the Mission of Mercy.
Volunteers are a key element to the overall success of the Iowa Mission of Mercy. Approximately 1,000 individuals are needed to execute the event. Professional volunteers include:
General volunteers serve a pivotal role in administering the event. A sample of volunteer areas include:
Collaborative Efforts
The Iowa Dental Foundation collaborates with many different organizations to produce the Iowa Mission of Mercy. We work with the Iowa Dental Assistants Association and the Iowa Dental Hygienists Association for volunteer recruitment. The University of Iowa, College of Dentistry brings many of its dental students up to the event. In addition, on a local level, the Salvation Army is a strong collaborative partner by providing the Salvation Army mobile canteen to help feed patients and volunteers during the course of the clinic. The City of Dubuque is supporting the event by providing the facility, security, and some equipment for the event. We also work with the local plumbers and pipefitters union and the local electricians union to help with clinic set-up.
Iowa MOM collaborates with community health clinics, I-Smile coordinators, and other social services organizations to inform potential patients about the services available at Iowa MOM.
Expected Outcomes
The success of the Iowa Mission of Mercy is measured by the number of patients we are able to serve and the value of the services provided. Our goal is to serve at least 1,200 patients and provide over $750,000 in free oral health care. Since 2008 the Iowa MOM has treated over 10,700 patients and provided $7.5 million in free oral health care.
Measuring Outcomes
Upon completion of their care at the Iowa MOM event, patients are asked to complete a brief survey regarding the reasons they came to the Iowa MOM, some demographic information, and their comments about the care they received. The total dollar value of oral health care delivered and the total dollar value amount spent on the event including itemizing expenditures is also tracked and evaluated.
Volunteers are asked to complete a simple survey asking them about their experiences and what they liked and did not like about the program. Survey results from both patients and volunteers are used to evaluate the event and make adjustments for future Iowa MOMs.
Funding
The total budget for the Iowa Mission of Mercy in Dubuque is $306,000, of which $161,000 is expected to be provided via in-kind contributions. We hope to raise $145,000 in funds to support
Iowa Mission of Mercy 4
the items that cannot be provided in-kind. Fundraising targets may be adjusted as more goods and services are donated. We reply heavily on local community support to support the program both in-kind and financially.
Costs associated with the event itself include the salary of the Program Manager who oversees the Foundation, the costs associated with bringing in the portable dental equipment and supplies for the clinic, utilities, trucking, food and beverages for volunteers and patients, office supplies and equipment, prescriptions for patients, public relations/advertising, as well as other miscellaneous items.
In Conclusion
Thank you in advance for your consideration for support for the Iowa Mission of Mercy. We hope that you will find the Iowa Mission of Mercy a worthwhile event to support.
To see a video about the Iowa Mission of Mercy, please click HERE
