GRAYSLAKE, IL (myPressManager.com) June 15, 2012
“You treated us like royalty.” Those were the parting words of Regina, the last patient to leave the Mission of Mercy clinic at the Lake County Fairgrounds last Friday. The Expo Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds was transformed into a huge, two-day free clinic on Friday and Saturday with the goal of treating underserved patients with dental, medical and vision needs. More than 1,300 volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants, dental students, physicians, vision professionals, nurses and lay volunteers treated 2,082 children and adults during the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation and CURE Network’s Mission of Mercy event. “Throughout the course of this giant, free clinic, our dental volunteers provided 1,113 exams and oral cancer screenings; 811 cleanings; 878 extractions; 1,242 restorative treatments, including fillings, root canals, and crowns; and more than 100 partials and denture repairs.” said Dr. Mark Humenik, a general dentist who chairs the Mission of Mercy.“More than 500 patients received vision exams, and eyeglasses were made on site for every patient who needed them,” stated Dr. Ken Nelson, Chair and Co-Founder of the CURE Network. “We performed medical exams, pap smears, breast exams, blood sugar screenings, and blood pressure screenings on over 300 patients.”“This weekend, we have witnessed many extraordinary circumstances in which people have lost their jobs; their dental, health, or vision insurance; or are dealing with really difficult circumstances. We’ve had the opportunity to touch the lives of many in desperate need,” said Dr. Alice Boghosian, who chairs the Illinois State Dental Society’s Public Relations Committee. “What you see at the Mission of Mercy is simply a larger example of the charitable care that dentists, physicians and vision professionals provide every day in their offices. This year’s event was especially significant due to the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation’s partnership with the CURE Network to provide dental, medical and vision care,” said Dr. Robert Bitter, President of the Illinois State Dental Society.Certainly, the Mission of Mercy has called attention the serious problem that many Illinois citizens have in accessing dental and medical care, but charity is not the foundation for a properly working healthcare system. Only the Illinois legislature can provide the solution through adequately funding the Medicaid program in Illinois. “If everyone gives a little, we can do great things,” Dr. Bitter adds. “The overwhelming sense of gratitude from our patients was so rewarding to our tireless volunteers. Many patients commented that they had never been treated with such kindness and dignity.” Learn more about the 2012 Mission of Mercy at http://www.isds.org/ISDSFoundation/ or http://www.curenetwork.org/.>
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This morning, the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation and CURE Network officially kicked off the Mission of Mercy, or “MOM,” at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on June 8-9. Nearly 1,500 volunteers from throughout Illinois will provide an estimated $1 million in free basic dental, medical and vision care to patients who would not otherwise have access to necessary treatment.Nearly 1,500 volunteers from throughout Illinois will provide free basic dental, medical and vision care to needy patients. They include 223 general dentists, 24 pediatric dentists, 24 oral surgeons, 13 endodontists, 10 orthodontists, 95 dental hygienists, 250-plus dental assistants, 104 dental students, 14 physicians, 60 RN/LPN/CNA’s, 19 vision professionals, and a large group of lay volunteers.Volunteer clinicians are prepared to see 1,000 patients per day, but hope to accommodate more. Dental volunteers will use 100 portable dental units to provide free basic dental care and oral surgery to patients who would not otherwise have access to necessary dental treatment. However, not all dental services are provided, and dental problems are prioritized with the most critical being treated. No false teeth will be made, but limited partials will be made in the lab.Basic medical screenings include high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and women’s health, including breast exams and PAP smears. Vision professionals will conduct eye exams and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration. Prescription eyeglasses will be made on site.Monetary and in-kind donations from more than 130 organizations, businesses, dental and medical supply companies, and individuals have been provided to offset the costs of equipment and facility rental, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food costs for this huge access to care event. A list of our generous donors is available on the ISDS Foundation website.The Mission of Mercy calls attention to the serious problems that Illinois citizens have in accessing dental and medical care. The event will relieve some suffering, but it won’t solve the problem. Only the Illinois Legislature can provide the solution through adequately funding the Medicaid program in Illinois, which was drastically cut in the 2013 state budget.“More than 2.6 million Illinoisans are enrolled in state-sponsored health insurance. Two-thirds of those enrolled in government-sponsored health care are children. While Illinois has experienced a steady increase in public aid enrollment, funding for the most critical procedures have not increased in more than 30 years,” noted ISDS President Dr. Robert Bitter of Skokie.He adds that, “Medicaid’s adult dental program was a casualty of the May 25th passage of Senate Bill 2840 that slashed $1.6 billion from the $11 billion Illinois Medicaid program. The adult program will now be an ‘emergency only’ program. “The Mission of Mercy media kit and other information are available by clicking on the home page “Mission of Mercy” graphic at