Powered by hundreds of oral health professionals and members of the community who volunteered their time on October 4 and 5, the 2025 Rhode Island Mission of Mercy free dental clinic served a total of 611 in-need Rhode Islanders and delivered more than $300,000 worth of donated dental services.
Held all day on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5 at Providence Community Health Centers’ Prairie Avenue campus, the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy offered patients a wide range free oral health services ranging from routine cleanings, X-rays and fillings to more complex treatments like root canals, partial dentures and extractions. In total, nearly 2,500 dental procedures were completed.
Services at the two-day clinic were provided on a first-come, first-served basis by more than 300 dental health professionals. The clinic was also supported by nearly 200 non-medical volunteers, who assisted in areas such as translation services, patient check-in and more.
“We’re proud to have helped so many Rhode Islanders access the care they need through this year’s Mission of Mercy,” said Dr. John Kiang, president of the Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation. “Events like this remind us how essential oral health is to an individual’s overall well-being and what can be accomplished when our community comes together to make care accessible to all. We’re deeply grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, organizers, and partners who make this annual event possible.”
The Rhode Island Mission of Mercy is coordinated and presented by the Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 2011 to provide funding and resources to improve the oral health of residents in the State of Rhode Island. Delta Dental of Rhode Island has served as the initiative’s premier sponsor since its inception, and Providence Community Health Centers has hosted the clinic since 2018.
“The Rhode Island Mission of Mercy serves as a true lifeline for hundreds of our neighbors who might otherwise go without the dental care they need,” said Joseph R. Perroni, president and CEO, Delta Dental of Rhode Island. “We’re honored to have supported this impactful initiative from day one, and we thank our partners at the Rhode Island Oral Foundation and Providence Community Health Centers along with the hundreds of dentists, hygienists and other oral health professionals who step up every year to make a difference.”
“We were honored to once again host the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy at Providence Community Health Centers’ newly expanded dental campus,” said Merrill Thomas, president and CEO, Providence Community Health Centers. “The clinic’s remarkable impact on the lives of so many Rhode Islanders reflects the compassion and dedication of the Mission of Mercy team and its volunteers. We’re proud to provide a home for this effort and grateful to everyone who helped make it such a meaningful success.”
Plans for the 2026 Rhode Island Mission of Mercy will be announced in the coming months.
Learn more at www.RIMOM.org.