Mission of Mercy Creates Smiles for Tulsa Tech
By KARA GAE NEAL
Superintendent
DENTAL ASSISTANCE: Tulsa Tech students and instructors committed a total of 485 volunteer hours to the Mission of Mercy, a free, two-day dental clinic at the Tulsa Convention Center set up by the Oklahoma Dental Association. Since the event, four Tulsa Tech students have been offered jobs in dental facilities and six students have been offered clinical internships.
During the first week of February a group of 41 students and two instructors from Tulsa Tech’s Dental Assistance program committed a total of 485 volunteer hours to the Mission of Mercy, a free, two-day dental clinic at the Tulsa Convention Center set up by the Oklahoma Dental Association. Patients began assembling two days before the event in anticipation of receiving free dental care. Over 1,400 dentists, hygienists and volunteers provided cleanings, fillings, restorations, extractions and root canals to more than 1,800 patients.
“When we got there, I looked at the number of patients and thought, ‘There’s no way we’re going to get through all these people,’” recalls Kristin Fletcher, an adult Tech student originally from El Reno, Okla. Fletcher spent more than 13 hours taking patients to anesthesia, the restoration area and surgery center. “As the day went on, the numbers dwindled. I was with one of the very last patients waiting for x-rays,” continued Fletcher. “I was afraid they were going to tell her ‘no’ because she needed all her wisdom teeth extracted, but they did it.”
The long days and intense workload created a once-in-a-lifetime circumstance for future dental assistants like Shelby Heimbach, an adult student from Broken Arrow. “It was so rewarding being able to help people in need,” said Heimbach. The real-life, hands-on experience was invaluable for Heimbach and her classmates. “Every dentist is different,” commented Heimbach. “It was a challenging adjusting to how each goes about their care, but what a great opportunity.”
One patient in particular stood out for Mary Selsor, an adult student from Broken Arrow. “This lady’s front teeth were in bad shape, and the teeth next to those were pretty decayed too,” said Selsor. “She didn’t smile and was very insecure, but the dentist I was working with rebuilt her front teeth. When I asked her if she was ready to see her new beautiful smile, she got really nervous. I handed her the mirror and she just started crying. And then I started crying! That was the most rewarding part of the entire weekend.”
Jill Holland, one of Tulsa Tech’s Dental Assistance instructors, was very impressed with the students’ performance. “Dentists and organizers told me how professional our students were,” recalled Holland. “One of our students carried himself so well that he was confused with a fourth-year dental student and was asked to administer local anesthesia.”
Since the event, four Tulsa Tech students have been offered jobs in dental facilities and six students have been offered clinical internships. Four dental offices have also requested information about becoming clinical sites for students in the future.
The 2011 Mission of Mercy will take place in Oklahoma City; in 2012, McAlester. “Tulsa Tech students will participate,” said Holland. “In southeast Oklahoma, the need will be huge, and we can’t wait to help.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting career training for both high school and adult students, or quality business and industry training, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 828-5200 or visit us online at www.tulsatech.edu.
Updated 05-12-2010
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