A free Dental Clinic event called the Texas Mission of Mercy RGV is coming to the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg from Sep. 15-16. With patients being accepted from 6 a.m. The event will provide pain relief, hygiene services and infection prevention.
With many people expected to take advantage of these free services, a pre-screening was held on Aug. 26 at Nuestra Clinica Del Valle in San Juan. It was well received with the official attendance being 233 people.
A second pre-screening is already set to take place from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sep. 9, at Nuestra Clinica Del Valle in Mission.
Owner/Dentist at McAllen Dental Associates Joey Cazares explains the importance and convenience of getting a pre-screening done before going to attend the event.
“The reason we do the pre screenings is that way, we already have patients’ medical history information.” Cazares explains. “What care we can provide there during that TMOM (Texas Mission of Mercy) and that way it’s like having a fast pass. So, they are ready to go, and they walk in and we already have a dentist in the system waiting to see them.”
He expresses that there’s been an increase in tooth decay among children which is evident through the over consumption of junk food, specifically sugary sweets and acidic spicy chips.
Cazares said that he believes the result of this increase in dental problems is due to people waiting until they finally have pain rather than going to the dentist regularly to stay healthy.
“That means you wait to get the car fixed when it’s left you on the side of the road. You want to maintain and keep everything healthy.” He said “And it’s just one less thing to worry about, because I would tell you, the mouth is the first part of the digestive system. If you can’t chew your food. You’re putting stress on the rest of your body and you can’t be healthy.”
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Carlos Cruz has led the way when it came to organizing this Texas Mission of Mercy RGV event and said he participated in other events before, because he feels with the responsibility to provide for those who need it.
“I’ve done missions locally and out of the country internationally, for over 30 years.” Cruz said. “This is for me. It’s something to keep, I think it’s an obligation. That every professional should give a little bit of their time in. That’s really what I love to do”.
According to Cruz the next Texas Mission of Mercy RGV event is scheduled for September 2026. Although he mentioned that his team is working to possibly move the date at an earlier time.
This is Timothy Chapman for Vaquero Radio
