The UNMC College of Dentistry will take part in the Nebraska Dental Association and Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs annual Veterans Mission of Mercy (VetMOM) charitable dental clinic this month. The college is calling for dental and hygiene student volunteers to help staff the clinic.
The two-day event is set for Aug. 28-29 at the Nebraska Army National Guard Titan Readiness Center near Mead, Neb. The college will be offering most disciplines of dentistry again this year, and the organizers plan on having additional medical screenings for vets and their spouses in need, said James Jenkins, DDS, associate professor of adult restorative dentistry. Dr. Jenkins is one of several faculty members who will be on hand to supervise students.
“We will have faculty there at all times during the event, so it is legal for you to complete procedures for the patients,” he said.
There also are non-clinical opportunities for volunteers, like patient processing and escort, data entry and sterilization. Full- and half-day shifts are available. Clinical set-up day is set for Thursday, Aug. 27.
The clinic will provide services to “any individual who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or a component of the U.S. Armed Forces, regardless of type of service—active, reserve, or guard—and/or spouses or surviving spouses of eligible veterans,” according to the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.
Dr. Jenkins said volunteers often benefit as much as the patients do.
“It really is an amazing time,” he said. “This is an event I think you will get so much out of by helping others that really need the help.”
For more information or to sign up, please click here.
Over the past three years Nebraska VETMOM has treated more than 1,250 Veterans and spouses and provided almost 8,000 dental services valued at over 1.5 million dollars. The 2026 event will also be successful, and we are thankful for the numerous volunteer faculty and students from the UNMC COD that make this humanitarian effort possible.