FAQs - All Volunteers

The FDA Foundation launched its signature philanthropic program in 2014, the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM). FLA-MOM is a large-scale, two-day, professional dental clinic that provides care to any patient at no cost to them, with the goal of serving the underserved and uninsured in Florida — those who would otherwise go without care. With a goal of treating 2,000 patients, FLA-MOM seeks to have a positive impact on ​Central Florida by relieving pain and infection, restoring dignity and creating smiles.

FLA-MOM Goals

• PROVIDE access to dental care for 2,000+ people of all ages at no cost to them, while placing a high priority on patients suffering from dental infections or pain.
• EDUCATE patients and family members in attendance about the importance of obtaining and maintaining optimal oral health.
• RAISE AWARENESS of the increasing difficulty low-income Floridians face in accessing critical dental care.
• CHALLENGE patients, policymakers and dental professionals to work together to improve the oral health of those who have been promised care by the state.

The local FLA-MOM committee, the FDA Foundation Board of ​Directors, and staff work in concert with the America’s Dentists Care Foundation to conduct FLA-MOM events.

Local FLA-MOM Leadership

Dr. Dan Gesek
2019 Chair, Florida Mission of Mercy

 

The ​2020 FLA-MOM will be held at ​the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. The address is:

Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center
1000 Water Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204


Set up: Wednesday, ​April 22  and Thursday, April 23, 2020
Clinic: Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 2020
Break down: Saturday, April 25, 2020

Reserve your hotel room block at the DoubleTree Orlando Downtown by calling 407-425-4455 and referencing the group name: FL DENTAL MISSION 2019  code:DM9. Limited availability, 2-night minimum stay required.

Other nearby hotels include: Courtyard Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Comfort Suites.

Due to liability reasons, all volunteers on or off the clinic floor must be at least 18 years old at the FLA-MOM.

• bone grafting
• braces
• crowns
• dentures
• extraction of unerupted wisdom teeth
• gum surgery
• implants
• narcotics
• root canals
• tooth whitening (bleaching)

Our goal is to treat as many people as we can to help relieve dental pain and treat infections. Patients will begin with patient registration and oral health education. Then, they are assessed in medical triage and will receive a full panoramic X-ray, followed by a consultation in dental triage to determine the patient's most urgent need. In order to treat as many patients as possible, treatment is limited to one quadrant of the patient’s mouth, where there is the most critical need. Once primary treatment is complete, patients may get back in line for additional treatment if we are still accepting patients for the day. 

All volunteers must check in at Volunteer Registration before entering the clinic or breakroom. Volunteers will receive their name badge and T-shirt, as well as a general orientation training. In the weeks leading up to the event, volunteers receive emails with information on parking, where to go, what to bring, etc.

All volunteers will be given either a FLA-MOM T-shirt or scrub top, which they will be required to wear during the clinic. Dress is casual, but please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Disposable gowns will be provided for clinical volunteers for infection-control purposes. Scrub pants are a good option for clinical volunteers. The floor is concrete; please remember to wear comfortable shoes.

There will be free on-site parking for volunteers and patients at Edgewater High School. Volunteers will receive parking instructions, a parking map, and a parking pass one week prior to the event. Designated ​disabled spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes, FLA-MOM provides breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages for volunteers. Vegetarian options are available. Please do not bring food or beverages onto the clinic floor. Everyone should plan to eat or drink in the designated volunteer lounge. Please note: There are no secure areas for your personal belongings.

Please leave your personal belongings at home or locked in your vehicle. We do not have a secured area for personal belongings and we want to avoid tripping hazards on the clinic floor. Additionally, some volunteers/patients may be allergic to latex. Please do not bring latex gloves or anything containing latex. Feel free to bring your own dental instruments, but make sure all personal supplies are labeled. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged equipment. Your equipment should be properly sterilized, in good working order, safe, effective and only used for its intended purpose.

All clinical volunteers must be licensed by the state of Florida.  License numbers are required on the volunteer registration form and will be verified before the event. 

• Anyone directly involved with patient care is required to have an up-to-date hepatitis vaccination.
• The FLA-MOM clinic will maintain universal infection control practices at all times.
• For more information about clinical positions, please refer to the ​Dentist, Hygienist and Student FAQs.

Out-of-state dentists must register by January 10, 2019 in order to allow time for your credentials to be reviewed. After completing the initial registration, a link will be emailed in order to provide additional information and upload documentation.

Following the event, clinical volunteers will receive an email with their ​service hours to self-report hours. Non-clinical volunteers ​will receive proof of service hours as well.

Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited root canals (front teeth only), oral health education, and X-rays. 

Patients who are in pain often have an accompanying infection. FLA-MOM does not want anyone to wait until the event to seek critical dental or medical attention, as delaying could lead to more serious consequences. While the goal is to be able to treat 2,000 patients, ​there is no guarantee of treatment. Every attempt will be made to care for those who are present.

It takes approximately 1,000 non-dental volunteers to support FLA-MOM in positions such as patient and volunteer registration, escorting patients, interpreting, parking, food service and more. Additionally, we need many different types of clinicians, including physicians, EMTs and nurses.

​If you are unable to volunteer, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to FLA-MOM.