PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh-area nonprofit held its latest annual free dental and hearing clinic, and we now know how many people they were able to help.
Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh served 1,592 patients during its ninth annual clinic at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Oct. 16-17.
More than 1,900 general volunteers and health care professionals delivered free care to more than 1,200 patients. They administered 487 hearing tests and fitted 329 individuals with free hearing aids.
In addition to on-site dental and hearing treatments, organizers referred 150 patients to a Community Vision Day held Oct. 18, at the UPMC Vision Institute for complimentary vision care.
Dental services accounted for the majority of care during the two-day clinic, including preliminary exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, select root canals and partials.
Additionally, volunteer dental providers performed more than 1,000 tooth extractions to help relieve patients of chronic severe pain and infections.
To accommodate families seeking care together, organizers expanded patient experience features by adding a dedicated family dentistry area and a children’s play zone.
Kenya T. Boswell, president of the Highmark Foundation and senior vice president of community affairs for Highmark Health, emphasized the relationship between dental care and general health.
“True health requires a complete picture—and that includes access to quality dental care,” Boswell said. “Because oral health is deeply tied to whole-body wellness—impacting everything from cardiovascular health to chronic disease management—removing barriers to dental care is essential to better health, better lives.”
The event was led by Executive Director Amanda Dickson, who has served Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh since 2019 in roles including volunteer, board member and event coordinator.
“What makes Mission of Mercy so extraordinary is not just the volume of care we provide, but the volunteerism and compassion that makes it possible,” Dickson said. “As we look ahead, our responsibility is to build upon that foundation. We have an opportunity to take what we’ve learned in Pittsburgh and extend our reach into additional communities.”
Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh has scheduled an expanded regional clinic in Johnstown on May 22–23.
The organization will return to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for its 10th anniversary free clinic on Oct. 22–23, 2027.
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