Event Touted as Major Success; Hundreds Jam into the CC/V High School
Donna Brazill
They came from hundreds of miles away, and even the immediate neighborhood, in search of free dental care.
Families, seniors, and children were warmly welcomed to receive this special service over two days in late September. The remarkable turnout made the event a resounding success and demonstrated what local organizations can accomplish by working together.
One family came from Wyoming with five children. Many slept in their cars or in tents in the chilly overnight temps to receive help they could not afford but desperately needed.
Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOMS) set up 100 dental offices in the Cripple Creek-Victor High school buildings to serve hundreds of patients for the highly publicized event on Sept. 25-26. The event featured help from hundreds of volunteers, along with dentists, endodontists, techs, hygienists, data entry, x-ray techs, escorts, coordinators, food prep and musicians from across the state—all of whom donated their services and talents for free. Their mission: Help those who have dental needs and have no way to get them addressed.
From x-rays and cleanings to dentures and partials, to extractions, root canals and filled cavities, the need for the free service was badly needed. The trades building became a denture lab. A large venue tent became a surgical room, the cafetorium turned into a hygienist center with over 40 stations. In the gym, each aisle served a different need, including crowns, fillings, etc. all done on the spot by professionals donating their skills for the cause of bringing better health to those in need.
Bringing This Event to Teller County
The event was spearheaded by Dr. Stephenie Kaufmann of Woodland Park, a long-time area dentist who wanted to bring this event to Teller County. Dr. Kaufmann and CC/V Staff Member Rick Bowman pitched the idea to the district administration who in turn brought it to the school board with COMOM Director Bill Taylor. Enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve the community in a big way, the project was set in motion.
Dr. Kaufmann also received a very positive response, when she presented this project concept before the Cripple Creek City Council. The council’s reaction: What do we need to do to make this happen?
The annual COMOM event has generated a strong thumbs-up response and provided considerable positive exposure for the southern Teller region.
Many of the long-time COMOM volunteers commented on how wonderful it was to partner with CC-V and how accommodating the district was for their needs. It wasn’t just the district.
A variety of local entities partook in the challenge of pulling this event off.
The city of Cripple Creek assisted with logistics and marketing; area casinos helped with rooms for volunteers and Community of Caring provided volunteers and marketing.
One specific area needed more lighting, so Jeff Register and Greg Brazill loaned construction lights. In addition, the Southern Teller EMS agency was onsite to facilitate the project.
The agencies and community groups overcame obstacles and met every need. Their outstanding cooperation was widely credited with making the Cripple Creek/Teller County event possible.
The level of participation shattered all previous estimates.
By closing on Saturday afternoon, following nearly 48 hours of extensive free dental service, more than 1,000 patients had been treated.
