Martinsburg Journal Editorial

"MOM"

The atmosphere was electric. The spirit was contagious. It was as much a special event, a happening as a free dental clinic.

At least 1,000 people passed through the doors of the Hedgesville High School gymnasium Friday and Saturday to get their teeth cleaned, cavities filled or a tooth pulled and all for free.

The dental care was provided by more than 800 volunteers from all over the Eastern Panhandle, West Virginia and Virginia. The tons of equipment and supplies were donated as well.

It was the first Mission of Mercy (MOM) free dental clinic in the tri-county, but organizers hope it will not be the last. The clinic is an initiative of the Healthy Smiles Partnership and is sponsored by the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle.

Congratulations, kudos, thank you do not seem to describe the gratitude the community should feel for the folks who conceived of holding the clinic locally and all the volunteers - dentists, assistants, students - who worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The community should recognize Dr. Lisa Dunn, director of dental health programs for WVUH Health Science Center, Eastern Division; Dr. Tom and Toni Leslie; Betty Russell; and Mikki Van Wyk.

Leslie was familiar with the MOM clinics having donated his services at one held regularly in Roanoke, Va., where as many as 1,300 patients take advantage of the needed care.

We would like to point out that there are several dentists in the tri-county who on a regular basis donate their time, energy and expertise to those in need of dental care but who cannot afford it. They do not announce it to the world; they simply go about the business of helping those who need help. They are heroes.

The purpose of the publicity and hoopla surrounding the clinic was to bring attention to the need for more dental care in this area and the need to make dental care more affordable as well as cae for the patients.

According to Dunn, there are about 42 practicing dentists in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties to serve more than 165,000 residents. That is less than half as many dentists needed to provide dental care for that size population.

And then there is the question about insurance coverage. Many working families do not have dental insurance through their place of employment and certainly cannot afford it. Medicaid often restricts what providers or services are available.

Dental care is so much more important than most people think. Diseases of the teeth and gums can lead to serious health problems in other areas. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems and pregnancy complications.

Also, dental health is very important to those with diabetes. Diabetics are more susceptible to gum disease and gum disease can affect the control of blood glucose.

Surely, many of us remember the tragic story of the little boy in Washington who died because he could not get help for an impacted tooth.

Good dental care can be a matter of life and death.

Once again, congratulations and thank you to those who organized and those who volunteered their services to the first and hopefully annual Eastern Panhandle MOM free dental clinic.

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