The Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation is hosting its 10th annual Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy event at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10.

More than 300 volunteer dentists and support staff of 1,200 including dental hygienists, dental assistants, translators, lab and medical personnel, data entry and other volunteers will once again transform the Coliseum, 1826 W. McDowell Road, into a large-scale dental clinic, where adults and children can get critical dental work done at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum is shown during a past Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy event. On Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10, more than 300 volunteer dentists and support staff of 1,200 including dental hygienists, dental assistants, translators, lab and medical personnel, data entry and other volunteers will once again transform the Coliseum into a large-scale dental clinic, where adults and children can get critical dental work done at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. (Courtesy Arizona State Fair)

 The dental professionals will utilize 100 portable dental units to focus on relieving pain and infection. Dental services such as fillings, extractions, cleanings, as well as limited lab work will be provided to patients of all ages.

The gates will open at 5 a.m. on Friday morning to line up for care that day. No one will be allowed to stay in line overnight or sleep overnight at the fairgrounds. Clinic services will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with approximately 30 patients being admitted every 30 minutes. Treatment will be performed both days 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., or until resources run out on Saturday.

“While we’ve been providing dental services through AZMOM for a decade, the lines don’t get shorter,” shared Ann Hammi-Blue, D.D.S, Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation Board President. “Dental challenges often prevent people from being able to eat nutritiously, apply for many types of jobs, or socially connect. Sadly, we see the most significant need for preventative dental treatment amongst our most vulnerable populations – the elderly, veterans and children.”

CADSF relies on significant sponsorships from a variety of organizations including the BHHS Legacy Foundation, The Board of Visitors, Delta Dental Foundation, United Concordia, Phoenix Lions Club, Thunderbirds Charities, DentaQuest, Season for Sharing, Patterson Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Alliance Bank, and numerous other corporate sponsors and individual donors to put on the AZMOM event each year. Support this event by visiting cadsfoundation.org/donate.

Visit azmom.org for more information.

Editor’s note: The above was republished from a Central Arizona Dental Society news release.