1608-12372

Connecticut: The Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic (CTMOM) is a program that provides free dental care for the under-served and uninsured in Connecticut through patient-centered teams of volunteer dental and medical professionals and community volunteers. Taking place in Hartford, CT the 146 chair clinic able to treat over 2,000 underserved, uninsured, and working poor patients in 2 days (Sep. 16-17). While the event will take place before the grant is award CFDO will use funding to cover expenses incurred from the event post-fact. CFDO acknowledges that CTMOM is not a healthcare system and is not the answer to the broken system that is presently in place. Throughout the year, CTMOM representatives meet with local and state legislators to ensure oral healthcare is kept in the limelight.Each year, CFDO invites federal, state, and local-level officials to attend the event, receive a floor tour, and talk with constituents, where advocates urge policymakers to action. A full list of officials either expected to attend is listed in the proposal, this includes the CT Governor and Lt. Governor, both U.S. Senators, congressmen/women, and numerous State Senators and Representatives. Requesting Community Response Fund support in the amount of $10,000 to assist CFDO with the leasing costs of the equipment for the CTMOM from the America's Dentists Care Foundation.