Anatomy of MOM-n-PA 2018
We would see nearly 100 patients
per hour during the operations
from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
We cut off the line on Friday at 2 p.m.
because we had over 300 people
waiting to have dental work completed
and we had a target finishing time
of around 5 p.m. Luckily, we timed
it well and did close by 5 p.m. Day
one complete! We celebrated with a
wonderful dinner sponsored by the
Reading Area Dental Society and
a band including one of our own,
Dr. Mike Shuman.
I wish I could have enjoyed more time
with my colleagues, but I had to get to
bed. I had been up since 4 a.m. and I
was about to do it all again the next day.
One of my many tasks is giving
orientation talks to newly arrived
volunteers. I tell everyone who has not
done this before that it’s a life changing
experience. I know it sounds cliché,
but everyone I have said that to has
agreed after the fact. Patients will hug
and thank us, smile and laugh with us.
Each has a story as to why they came
that day. Each patient is treated with
courtesy and professionalism. The
reason I know that our volunteers care
is because often I am asked if we can do
something a little outside our normal
protocol to help a patient, a little extra.
The volunteers care so much for these
patients they are willing to go the extra
mile for nothing in return. They are the
real heroes.
Like the movie Groundhog Day, my
alarm again woke me at 4 a.m. It was
Saturday. I drove to the Santander
arena and once again there was a line
stretched around the block. The line
was even longer than the day before.
I entered the arena. It’s always very
quiet when I first enter. Only half of the
lights are on and it’s going to get crazy
in just a few hours, so I enjoy the peace
and quiet with a cup of coffee and
some discussion with others who
have just arrived.
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SE P T E M B E R/OC TOBER 2018 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N AL
During the day you might call me the
“fixer.” I float around from the patient
entrance to the patient exit and all
other areas of the event with a walkie-
talkie to solve problems. There may
be no suction at chair 50, or someone
is lost. I replace red-bag waste and
pick up trash. I check the flow and
bottlenecks of patients. I might move
water from one area to another or move
the mobile X-ray carts from one area
to another. I calm down the occasional
upset patient or volunteer.
By 2 p.m. on Saturday we had closed
the entrance to new patients and again
we were working to treat everyone
that was waiting. By 5 p.m. on Saturday
the volunteers who did the triage and
treatment were done.