What to expect for Mission of Mercy

[dirigo]

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Has anyone here volunteer for Mission of Mercy? What exactly did they have you do? I missed the date for my city so the one i signed up for is 2 hours away and i just wanted to know if the experience would be worth it. If i'm just doing papers and directing traffic then there's no point.

thanks

 

[txaggie03]

I've gone to two. At the first one, they tried to put me at a table with 4 other pre-dents, taking patient records and filing them. The table needed two people at most. So I wandered away, started helping a dental student unpack x-ray gear from his school, and ran the Nomad cordless x-ray the rest of the day.

At the second one, they were separating the pre-dents to be 'runners' for the dentists. In other words, when the dentists needed materials, the pre-dents would run to the central dispensary and retrieve supplies. I latched on to one of the only dentists there doing root canals (most work is extractions, not preservation). I did that because he said he would be without is typical assistants. So, I got to be chair-side across from him for the whole day, helping him out.

Moral of the story: dont be afraid or meek. Just hop right in there and help where needed. As organized as they are, little things can tend to be overlooked. -Like no one specific signed up to run the Nomads, or the endodontist not having assistants lined up.

Also, I was not prepared for the number of 'thank you's that I received. Very rewarding weekends, and both of mine were 3 hours away (very much worth the drive).

 

[dirigo]

I've gone to two. At the first one, they tried to put me at a table with 4 other pre-dents, taking patient records and filing them. The table needed two people at most. So I wandered away, started helping a dental student unpack x-ray gear from his school, and ran the Nomad cordless x-ray the rest of the day.

At the second one, they were separating the pre-dents to be 'runners' for the dentists. In other words, when the dentists needed materials, the pre-dents would run to the central dispensary and retrieve supplies. I latched on to one of the only dentists there doing root canals (most work is extractions, not preservation). I did that because he said he would be without is typical assistants. So, I got to be chair-side across from him for the whole day, helping him out.

Moral of the story: dont be afraid or meek. Just hop right in there and help where needed. As organized as they are, little things can tend to be overlooked. -Like no one specific signed up to run the Nomads, or the endodontist not having assistants lined up.

Also, I was not prepared for the number of 'thank you's that I received. Very rewarding weekends, and both of mine were 3 hours away (very much worth the drive).

Ha it's funny you say don't be afraid or meek because i've been turned away lately for being too eager or aggressive. Did they have oral surgeons on site?

 

[txaggie03]

Ha it's funny you say don't be afraid or meek because i've been turned away lately for being too eager or aggressive. Did they have oral surgeons on site?

Getting there early and finding a good spot wouldnt be too pushy. Getting there right before or as the event is starting, and forcing yourself in a spot would be.

Most of the dentists at the ones I went to were general dentists. That said, the most numerous procedure done by a long shot was extractions. For example, at the MOM I mentioned above where I helped out the endodontist, he was the only one doing root canals out of the roughly 25 other dentists. Two endodontists were schedualed, only he showed up. We treated about 8 patients out of the hundreds that were seen. Many patients had multiple extractions. You'll see why once you get there. The lines of patients at both of the MOM's I attended first formed the evening before.

 

[txaggie03]

For me, it solidified my decision to pursue dentistry.

^^^ This.

👍👍




I liked them so much, I am actually sad that there are not any around my area for while. All are 5+ hours away and I am still considering attending...

 

[trjones]

I live in North Carolina so I volunteer for the NCMOM. I did one this past school year and have signed up to attend 8 more this school year. I really enjoyed mine. I worked in the sterilization area. We cleaned all the utensils used, steamed them, and repackaged them to be used for other patients. I did not once see a pre-dent volunteer directing traffic or doing paper work. All pre-dent volunteers were doing hands on activity. Maybe this only occurs with the NCMOMs, but I am thankful we have the opportunity for such hands on activity after reading some posts about directing traffic, etc.

 

[dental555]

I've only done it once but it was definitely worth the experience. I was already pretty confident I wanted to pursue dentistry, but like others have said, it definitely reinforced my confidence. I personally spent about half the time as a triage runner showing patients where to go, but for the later part of it I found myself chair side helping a dentist. I agree that you shouldn't be meek, try and be assertive but not aggressive. I only have 8 hours but I hope it looks good on the app too.

 

[xtra333]

anyone going to the TMOM in Victoria on the 23rd? I am.

 

[txaggie03]

anyone going to the TMOM in Victoria on the 23rd? I am.

I want to. But it is six hours away.🙁

 

[jmukid]

MOM project is very rewarding and gives you the chance to meet a lot of dentist and dental students. But dont be fooled doing 10 MOM projects wont get you into a dental school. This is something that a dean of admissions to a dental school told me. Its good to do one or two but dont waste you time doing many of them. Quantity is really important in terms of volunteer work. Try and focus on doing volunteer work at multiple places.

 

[summit30]

I hadn't realized that MoM events are held across the nation. I'll be at the Wisconsin MoM this June 30th. I signed up for the role "patient ambassador". I hope that it will be rewarding.

Also, did any of you attend one of the dinners after the event? I think it could be enjoyable, but probably less so if if there aren't many younger people in attendance. 🙂

 

[dirigo]

Direct traffic in groves of people towards triage, dental assist, refill sterile water, dispose of stored dirty water, look for and hand out sterilized dental instruments to dentists and hygienists, and help out with whatever.

Seriously, doing all that solidified your decision for dentistry? 😀

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm shelling out the gas money and going.

 

[xtra333]

I am going to it too in texas