FAQs - Hygienists

Volunteer registration has not opened for the 2024 Florida Mission of Mercy.

Please click the orange pre-registration button below to complete the pre-registration form.  Your completed pre-registration form will give you priority to register for the 2014 FLA-MOM before registration is open to the public.



We will need many dental, medical and community volunteers to help make FLA-MOM
successful for those searching for dental care.

Please revisit this page to find out about the 2024 FLA-MOM room block discount.  In the meantime, a map of Lakeland hotels is below for you to view.

Setups will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorites (scalers, cavitron inserts).

Bring any special equipment you may need, including headlights or magnifying eyewear. Please be sure to properly label all your equipment with your name.

All clinical volunteers must be licensed by the state of Florida or complete an out-of-state registration. 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 a current hepatitis vaccination.

Licensed dentists and hygienists do not need to have their own malpractice insurance to practice at the FLA-MOM. The FDA Foundation’s insurance through The Doctor’s Company will cover licensed dentists and licensed hygienists at the FLA-MOM.

FLA-MOM has many wonderful opportunities for hygiene students, but treating patients is not allowed, even under supervision. FLA-MOM provides a great environment for learning and we encourage students to volunteer in positions where they can interact with patients, such as patient education, exit interviews, escorting patients, or assisting in dental, hygiene, or sterilization treatment.

Dental instruments will be provided. You are welcome to bring your favorites, just make sure that everything is clearly labeled with your name, properly sterilized, in good working order, safe, effective and only used for its intended purpose. Ultrasonic scalers will be available for hygienists. A disposable gown, masks and gloves also will be provided on-site.

If you will be at the clinic site on the setup day, you can bring your dental stools and other equipment between 3 and 4:30 p.m. to prep your operatory. If you are volunteering in the same department on both days, you may leave your equipment by your chair.

Clinicians should plan to bring their own eye protection. Headlamps and extra batteries are recommended to increase visibility.

Please do not bring weapons of ANY kind, illegal substances or anything of value.

Please leave your personal belongings at home or locked in your vehicle. We do not have a secured area for personal belongings and want to avoid tripping hazards on the clinic floor.  Drawstring backpacks will be given to all volunteers for small items such as keys, wallet, cell phone.  We ask that you wear your backpack throughout the event.

Please do not bring latex gloves or anything containing latex as some volunteers/patients may be allergic to latex.

Please do not bring weapons of ANY kind, illegal substances or anything of value.

Please leave your personal belongings at home or locked in your vehicle. We do not have a secured area for personal belongings and want to avoid tripping hazards on the clinic floor.  Drawstring backpacks will be given to all volunteers for small items such as keys, wallet, cell phone.  We ask that you wear your backpack throughout the event.

Please do not bring latex gloves or anything containing latex as some volunteers/patients may be allergic to latex.

Please note that all volunteers will receive a volunteer certificate with their service hours.  Clinical volunteers may use this volunteer certificate and self-report hours needed to appropriate agencies.