Two-day free dental clinic begins in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Mid-South Mission of Mercy (MidMOM) is giving people in Memphis and the Mid-South a reason to smile.

MidMOM is holding a free, two-day dental clinic for under-insured people living in Memphis and the Mid-South.

The annual free dental event has been going on since 2016 and has provided more than $6.9M in dental work to over 11,000 patients in the Greater Memphis Area, MidMOM said.

“Going to the dentist is not a cheap thing,” said Memphian Alexandria Pinkins. “Especially since the pandemic, since I lost my dental insurance through my job when I lost my job. The inflation and everything else that’s been going on around here has been eating at our pockets and I’m just glad I got a chance to come out here to get a good cleaning for free and an extraction. The fact that I was able to come out here and get all these things did for free is terrific. It was wonderful.

Nearly 11,000 volunteers have worked to make that possible, brightening the smiles and lives of many Mid-Southeners who may not have the funds see a traditional dentist.

“I love giving back, I love people. It’s just rewarding,” said Dr. David Ijames. “I think it’s part of God’s calling for me as well. When they get up sometimes they’ll hug us and it’s just appreciation.

The clinic is going on Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21 at the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. Doors open at 6 a.m.

But, if you’re headed out, you may either want to get there well before that time or pack your patience.

People usually line up and camp out overnight for the free services.

While you will need your patience, you will not need any forms, identification or other paperwork in order to receive care.

“These dentists that are here today, they are skilled but they have big hearts and they want to help everybody they can,” said Dr. Stueart Hudsmith with Mid-South Mission of Mercy. “It’s a great event where we are able to treat the underserved population of Memphis and Shelby Co. for their dental needs. They don’t need to bring any documentation, we’re not checking ID’s. They just need to have a dental problem and we’re going to do our very best to try to help them with it”

People are being seen on a first-come-first-serve basis.

©2022 Imagicomm Memphis, Inc.