Virginia Dental Association Foundation Plans Wytheville Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic on June 26-27

RICHMOND, VA  – The Virginia Dental Association Foundation’s (VDAF) Mission of Mercy program will host its first major FREE dental care event in Wytheville this summer. The event will take place at the Wytheville Meeting Center at 333 Community Blvd. on June 26-27, 2026. Organized by the Virginia Dental Association Foundation and the Bland Ministry Center, the event provides free preventative, restorative and surgical dental care to people living in and near Southwest Virginia.

 

The Mission of Mercy clinic will operate on Friday and Saturday, June 26-27 from 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Patients are encouraged to arrive early. Optional pre-registration is available at the Big Walker Clinic on June 17. Call (276)228-4711 to schedule an appointment for advance pre-registration. Optional on-site pre-registration will begin on Thursday, June 25 at 12 noon at the Wytheville Meeting Center.  

 

Organizers recommend attendees wear comfortable clothes and bring food and drink for the day. No overnight parking at the Wytheville Meeting Center is allowed.

“We look forward to bringing this Mission of Mercy dental event to serve Wytheville and surrounding communities,” said VDAF executive director Tara Quinn. “If you haven’t been to the dentist in more than six months or are experiencing oral pain, we hope you’ll join us next month. We’re grateful for our incredible volunteer dental teams who will provide compassionate care to everyone who joins us.”

 

Care will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. People can access free dental services including cleanings, fillings, limited oral surgery, denture screenings, and x-rays at the two-day event. 2026 marks the 30^th anniversary of the VDAF. All are welcome.

 

The VDAF expects approximately 300 dentists, dental professionals and support volunteers from the Virginia Dental Association, VCU School of Dentistry and community partners to participate in this Wytheville Mission of Mercy event.

 

Over the past 27 years, Mission of Mercy has served nearly 74,000 patients and provided over $52.4 million in free dental care.  Mission of Mercy is made possible through generous partnerships with the Town of Wytheville,  Wythe County, Wytheville Community College, VCU School of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene, the Virginia Dept. of Health, United Concordia Dental, Sun Life/DentaQuest, Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation, and other sponsors. The VDAF estimates it costs nearly $60,000 to put on the MOM event.  The organization must fundraise to cover all expenses of the program. Please consider making a donation to support the MOM program here: www.vdaf.org/donors.

 

Over the years, Southwest Virginia MOM events have helped shed light on the region’s shortage of dental providers. Recent programs and clinics, such as those at the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center and in Wise, have helped increase access to care.

MOM projects seek not only to alleviate the current pain and hardship caused by oral health issues, but to serve as a catalyst to create the infrastructure for local and lasting dental care. Virginia communities that have utilized MOM projects to build momentum and eventually launch permanent community dental clinics include Martinsville, Orange, Gloucester, and Wise.