Patient Information

If you are currently in pain, do not wait for the MOM-n-PA mission for treatment. 

If you are experiencing abnormal to severe pain or swelling, you should seek immediate treatment. If you do not have access to a dentist, please go to the nearest emergency room.

Q: What is MOM-n-PA?

The MOM-n-PA mission is a large-scale dental clinic where dental treatment is provided at no cost to individuals who cannot afford dental care. Treatment is provided first-come, first-served and it is expected that several hundred individuals will be attending this year's event, so please come early!  Patients ​do not preregister.  

Q: When and where is the next MOM-n-PA Dental Mission?            

The 2024 mission will take place on June 21st and 22nd at Reading, PA.   

Q: Where did the previous missions take place? 

• Our 2013 MOM-n-PA dental mission took place on May 31st and June 1st in North Philadelphia, PA
• Our 2014 dental mission took place on September 12th and 13th in Allentown, PA
• Our 2015 mission took place on May 29th and 30th in Harrisburg, PA !
  
• Our 2016 mission took place on June 3rd and 4th in Pittsburgh, PA
  
• Our 2017 mission took place on June 16th and 17th in Erie, PA
  
• Our 2018 mission took place on May 18th and 19th in Reading, PA.
• Our 2019 dental mission was in Wilkes-Barre on June 7th and 8th. 
• Our 2020 mission was canceled due to the Coronavirus
  
• Our 2021 mission took place at Temple's School of Dentistry in September!
• Our 2022 dental mission took place in York, PA.
• Our 2023 mission was in Allentown, PA

Q: What else should I know?

• Come early! Patients can begin lining up  at 4:00 am.
• No appointments will be taken or are necessary.
• Patients are seen on a first come - first serve basis.
• Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
• The number of patients seen will be limited to up to 1000 patients per day. Once the total number of patients we can see each day have been registered, no additional patients can be seen.  Please be prepared to wait several hours for service.

Q: What should I expect?

• You will need to provide basic personal information (name, address, etc.) (NO ID REQUIRED) 
• You will be screened for medical issues that may disqualify you for treatment (i.e., blood sugar over 300, B/P over 190/105 and other issues).
• As dentists and dental hygienists become available, you will be taken to areas of the dental clinic for dental treatment.
• Bilingual volunteers will be available throughout the clinic to assist non-English speaking patients.
• You will not be charged for any services, nor will you be asked to show any proof of income or insurance.
• Children in a family will be treated first and will remain with their parent or guardian throughout the process 

Q: What services are provided?

• Cleanings
• Fillings
• Root canal treatments on selective teeth
• A limited number of temporary partial dental appliances and a limited number of full dentures
• Extractions
• Oral hygiene instruction
• Pediatric dentists will treat children

Each registered patient that is healthy enough to receive treatment is guaranteed one service. We, unfortunately, may not be able to take care of all of your dental needs, but will do our best to get you out of pain.

 The following services are NOT available:

• Root canals on molars
• Crowns
• Extractions of unexposed wisdom teeth
• Orthodontics/"Braces" 
• Implants
• Narcotics will not be dispensed

Q: What about my dental needs after the MOM-n-PA mission?

Every patient seen during the  MOM-n-PA mission will receive a post-op form that includes a local doctor's and/or a local social service agency's telephone and contact name.  This year, dentists from Reading will be doing follow-up on patients that need further care.  Should an individual experience complications in the days immediately following the clinic, the contact can refer him or her to a local dentist who has agreed to see MOM patients for emergency follow-up care.

Q: What should I bring?

Patients will be waiting for their turn to meet with the dentists and dental hygienists. It’s a good idea to bring things such as books, magazines, crossword puzzles, or knitting to help pass the time. If you have any recent dental x-rays, please bring them. PLEASE also bring water, food and snacks since onsite food will be limited.

Parents of young children should be prepared to keep their children with them at all times and keep them entertained during waiting periods. Child care is not provided.

Q: Do I have to wait in line if my case is an emergency? 

Everyone has to wait in line for services. Most MOM-n-PA patients are suffering and in pain, so we do not take anyone out of line. If you are currently in pain, do not wait for the MOM-n-PA mission for treatment.

Q: Do I need insurance/payment?

 No. This is completely free thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and sponsors.

Q: If I am under 18, do I need a parent or guardian present?

Yes. All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian until all treatment is complete. We have a family dental department where all adults or guardians with children 13 and under will receive treatment. Parents/guardians with a child 14 to 17 must stay together and will be treated one at a time in the general clinic. 

Q: My entire family needs to be seen. Is that possible?

Yes, however, a guardian must be with children under the age of 18 at all times.

Q: Will there be translators?

Spanish and other translators will be available.

Q: Is there a limit as to how much treatment I can receive?

Due to limited supplies, time and volunteers, we are limited to the amount of treatment we can provide each individual. Our first priority will be to treat your critical dental needs.

Q:  I am not from Pennsylvania, can I still be seen?

Yes. We will not discriminate based on where you live. We will help as many people in line each day, on a first-come, first-serve basis, as we can until we reach capacity.