30 Jun 2025 Dental professionals volunteer, brightening the smiles of thousands
By Donna Lampkin Stephens
More than 800 volunteers provided 1,302 patients with nearly $1.5 million in free dentistry services during the Arkansas Mission of Mercy’s clinic at the Conway Expo Center in April.
Arkansas Mission of Mercy (ArMOM) is a labor of love for many in the 501 and has been since 2007.
“This is right at 27-, 28,000 patients we’ve treated over the years, and somewhere around $23 million in free dentistry,” said Dr. Terry Fiddler of Conway, ArMOM executive director. “There is no medical event in Arkansas that treats as many sick people as we do every year.”
The annual two-day clinic aimed at underserved Arkansans offers a full array of services, including extractions, fillings and hygiene for adults and children on a first-come, first-served basis. Fiddler said similar events are held in 22 other states. Presenting sponsors are the Arkansas State Dental Association and Delta Dental of Arkansas.
In the early years, the event moved around Arkansas, but Fiddler said it would be in Conway as long as he is executive director. He said the first Conway clinic, held just before the COVID-19 outbreak, also drew patients from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana and Tennessee.
“This year, when I started walking the line at 2:30 in the morning (the first day of the clinic), we had almost 200 people inside and just short of 600 outside,” said Fiddler, who grew up in Conway and retired after 43 years in dental practice in 2017. “I always stop and tell them that I cannot only sympathize, I can empathize. I’m one of those kids who grew up with losing teeth to no dentistry. We couldn’t afford to go to the dentist.
“I know what it is to hurt, and I know what it is to go to bed hungry. Their only problem is life has thrown them a curve, and we’re trying to give them some help until they get out of it.”
Patients don’t have to provide identification.
“The only thing I require of them is to have teeth,” he said. “We need them to tell us any medical history, and don’t hold anything back. We see a lot of people with undiagnosed high blood pressure or high sugar that we can get started on treatments there.”
Lea Ann Moore has been the event’s hygiene captain for 12 years and was one of the original volunteers. She has 38 years of experience as a dental hygienist, including about the last 30 for Dr. Ellen Turney in Conway.
“The process has changed a little bit since COVID-19, but they’ll get out there and sleep outside in sleeping bags and tents while we’re setting up,” she said. “They’re wanting to make sure they can be seen. It sometimes does just break your heart.
“We can get their mouth healthier. Some people have never had their teeth cleaned before. They won’t spend the extra money on it. We’ve had people who have had restored front teeth who said they were embarrassed to go for a job interview, or they wouldn’t smile, but now they have confidence because their smile is so pretty.”
Moore said the “amazing” team of volunteers included dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, nurses, lab techs, physicians, pharmacists, supply team, sterilization team, set-up crew, technology/computer team and lay volunteers. About 50 men from Renewal Ranch helped with set-up and break-down duties.
“This time we had more young career dentists turn out than we’ve had in 10 years. That’s a good sign,” Fiddler said.
Among the volunteers in recent clinics were seniors from the dental hygiene programs at UAMS and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. “They’re so gung-ho and young and excited to begin to do this,” Moore said. “They’re about to be practicing in a matter of weeks. That’s been a huge help, but it takes all of us to make this happen — nurses, lay volunteers, hospitality room workers. There are so many jobs we need volunteers for.”
Fiddler said the volunteer time would pay dividends for young dental professionals.
“You will never have a better experience than when something hits you in the face in the dental office and you’ll think back here and say, ‘I’ve already seen this,’” he said. “One of the hardest things all of us have to do is improve the state’s dental IQ. What we have in Arkansas with generational poverty, we also have generational loss of dental IQ. If we can convince the parent to take care of the kids, they start taking care of themselves.”
Appreciation from patients is one of the big rewards for those volunteering.
“We have people wanting to hug you and thank you,” Fiddler said. “I’ve had more kisses on my cheek. A couple of years ago, one lady came who worked in a big-box warehouse. She was wanting to get into the retail end, and she knew everything about the company, but she didn’t have front teeth, and she couldn’t afford to get them fixed.
“She came to our event, and we gave her six front teeth. She called me the next week and told me she got the job as assistant manager of the department store. We not only change your health. We change your life.
“The term is ‘pay it forward.’ Just give back.”
Moore credited her father, the late Burl Hurley of Morrilton, for setting an example of giving back.
“You can’t always give money, but I could give my service,” she said. “I feel like I was gifted this job and this talent, and this is the way I can give back and serve people. I make a living in this way, but I also can give to people who need help.
“I really believe in this. I wish we had more opportunities for people who need dental work done. They’re super appreciative and very sweet. It’s very touching. This really has my heart. I’ve put a lot of energy into this, and it’s really important to me. I wouldn’t miss it.”
The 2026 Mission of Mercy clinic is scheduled for April 10-11, again at the Conway Expo Center. Volunteers will be needed again. For information, visit ArkansasDentistry.com/ArMOM.
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