The Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOMS-RGV) proudly announced a significant community initiative to improve oral health and overall wellness. This inaugural free dental clinic will be held Sept. 15-16 at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. The announcement was made during a news conference on Monday, August 21, where Dr. Carlos Cruz, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, took the stage to talk about the free event he and a large team of dentists are leading, with support from the medical community and local government.
“This event is dedicated to those in need,” Dr. Cruz said. “We welcome every patient that doesn’t have any possibility to be treated.”
TMOMS-RGV is spearheading this initiative and creating a collective impact by bringing in the support of critical stakeholders like Hidalgo County, DHR Health, Nuestra Clinica del Valle, Bert Ogden Arena, and others.
“We are honored to be a part of a mission to offer free dental care to the most underserved populations of our region,” Lone Star National Bank president David DeAnda, said when he opened the news conference.
The free dental clinic will offer many services catering to the community’s diverse needs, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, pediatric dental care, removable partials, and dentures.
The event’s primary focus is to provide essential dental care, and the organizers aim to empower individuals with improved oral health and positively impact the overall quality of life.
“What a tremendous showing of how a community can come together to try to close the disparities in health care in populations across the country,” Dr. Carlos Cardenas, chairperson of DHR Health, said.
“The Texas Mission of Mercy is another demonstration of how physicians and dentists can come together with community members and community sponsors to close the gap in healthcare.”
Also present during this event was McAllen Mayor Pro-Tem Omar Quintanilla, who represented Mayor Javier Villalobos. All speakers acknowledged that this transformative event, led by community leaders, dental professionals, and sponsors, will bring awareness to the importance of dental healthcare.
“This event is a great example of what Hidalgo County and this community is doing for one another,” Hidalgo County Judge, Richard Cortez, said during the press event.
This event seeks to address the critical issue of oral health within the underserved populations in the Valley.
“Thirty-one percent of the people living in Hidalgo County receive some type of government subsidy or don’t have insurance.”
Judge Cortez stressed the significance of this event and how it would help those most in need. The event is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. on both days and is expected to serve hundreds of individuals.
