Mission Of 'Dental' Mercy To Help 2,000 Under-Insured Brighten Smile

SAGINAW (WWJ) - It's a day to highlight oral health , Saturday, more than 1,000 Michigan Dental Association Dentists will be gathered at Saginaw Valley State University -- to make people smile.

This is the first Mission of Mercy event that will help up to 2,000 uninsured or under-insured Michigan residents receive dental care.

Tom Kochheiser event director, says more than one thousand dentists are participating.

"We have dentists from all over the state, from the Detroit area all the way to the Muskegan area - and north and south. The fellowship and the comradery - they are so passionate about doing this and providing the care," said Kochheiser. "The reward is seeing the response from the patient."

"It affects their self-esteem and often employment opportunities and overall health. We want to provide the care to people, who, for various reasons have not been able to access dental care."

He tells WWJ that part of the mission is to call attention to policy makers in Lansing that state programs need to be properly funded.

You can learn more about the event which runs from June 6-9 at the Ryder Center on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University - HERE.