Wilkes-Barre will soon host a large-scale free dental clinic thanks to MOM-n-PA, a program run by the Pennsylvania Dental Foundation. The clinic offers no-cost dental care to individuals who cannot afford treatment.
Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival is recommended. No appointments or preregistration are required.
MOM-n-PA’s mission is simple: everyone deserves a healthy smile, no matter their income or financial situation. The program relies on around 1,000 volunteers, including dental professionals licensed in Pennsylvania and community members, to run free clinics across the state each year.
During the two-day event, 120 portable dental units will be set up to provide care to patients without any qualifications or fees. Sponsors like United Concordia Dental and the Highmark Foundation make this possible.
A press conference will take place on Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m. at the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. Setup for the event begins the day before, Thursday, June 5, at 8 a.m. Photographers and TV crews often capture striking images as the empty arena quickly transforms into a bustling dental clinic with 120 chairs.
Since 2013, MOM-n-PA clinics have served communities in Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie, Reading, Wilkes-Barre, and York. So far, the program has provided over $10 million in dental care to about 15,000 patients. This year’s Wilkes-Barre event marks the program’s return to the city, which last hosted the clinic in 2019. Local dentists Dr. Christopher Kotchick, Dr. Richard Grossman, and Dr. Samantha Abod will lead the efforts.
Over the two days, MOM-n-PA expects to treat 2,000 patients and deliver $1.2 million worth of dental services. These include medical screenings, exams with X-rays when needed, cleanings, extractions, fillings, root canals, and a limited supply of partial and full dentures—all free of charge. Equipment is rented from America’s Dentists Care Foundation.
The organization is still looking for sponsors and volunteers to support the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton event. Volunteer registration closes on Friday, May 30. Interested individuals can sign up at mom-n-pa/volunteer-information/.
Dr. Gary Davis, Chair of MOM-n-PA, said, “Wilkes-Barre was chosen because of the dental care needs in the community and nearby areas. We rely entirely on volunteers and need as much help from the local community as possible to serve families and individuals who often cannot afford dental care.”
MOM-n-PA aims not only to provide immediate dental services but also to connect patients with local dental offices for ongoing care in the future.
