RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Free dental care is returning to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise next week, as the Mission of Mercy clinic marks its 26th anniversary.
Organized by the Virginia Dental Association Foundation (VDAF), the clinic will be held at the UVA-Wise Convocation Center from Friday, July 18 through Saturday, July 19. It will offer no-cost preventative, restorative, and surgical dental care to residents of southwest Virginia.
The clinic will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Pre-registration opens at noon on Thursday, July 17. Patients are encouraged to arrive early, as care will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We look forward to returning to Wise County to serve the community,” said Tara Quinn, Executive Director of VDAF. “If you haven’t seen a dentist in over six months or you’re dealing with oral pain, we hope you’ll join us. We’re grateful to our incredible volunteer teams who provide compassionate care to every patient.”
The clinic will offer services including cleanings, fillings, x-rays, and oral surgery—all free of charge.
This year’s event will bring together around 300 volunteers, including dentists, dental students, and support staff from the Virginia Dental Association, Virginia Commonwealth University, and other community partners.
The Wise clinic was founded in 1999 by Dr. Terry Dickinson, who launched Mission of Mercy to address urgent dental needs in underserved communities.
According to VDAF, oral health outcomes in the region have shown signs of improvement. In 2024, the clinic performed 989 tooth extractions—a significant drop from the 3,368 extractions done in 2016, reflecting a 70% decrease over eight years.