By Kara Wilkins

Free dental clinic helped more than 2,000 Arkansans this year.

At the 2017 Arkansas Mission of Mercy (ARMOM) event, more than 2,200 people stood in line to receive dental services at the free 2-day clinic, held April 28 - 29 in Jonesboro.

Founded by the Arkansas State Dental Association (ASDA), ARMOM is the largest charitable dental event in the United States. More than 850 volunteers, including dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, nurses, physicians, and pharmacists, provided $1.3 million in basic dental care for low- to moderate-income Arkansans seeking relief from untreated dental pain.

Delta Dental of Arkansas employees volunteered as part of Smiles Across Arkansas, our corporate citizenship program. Employees served as greeters, patient escorts, and pediatric assistants throughout the day. We even lead an exciting game of Bingo while patients waited to be called. Knowing waiting can be the hardest part, Delta Dental provided free goody bags that included a toothbrush and coloring book for children.The Tooth Fairy even flew in for a surprise appearance.

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation is a founding sponsor of ARMOM, contributing more than $1 million towards the annual event. Since 2007, ARMOM has treated more than 22,000 people from Arkansas and surrounding states at a value of more than $11 million.