Mission of Mercy: Volunteer Job Descriptions

Whether you are a caring dental professional or just a caring individual, there are numerous opportunities for you to volunteer at the Minnesota Mission of Mercy (MnMOM). Please note, all volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Volunteer Descriptions

Dentists: Those with a current, unrestricted Minnesota license (or volunteer temporary license) may work in the following clinic areas: Dental Triage (initial oral exam), Routing (determining which care will be provided), Anesthesia (administering local anesthesia for restorative, endodontic or oral surgery patients), Oral Surgery, Restorative, Endodontics, Prosthodontics (taking impressions and fitting treatment partials), Pediatrics, Radiography, and Post-Op Check. All dental treatment is provided under local anesthesia, no nitrous oxide or sedation will be available. A Dentist Floater position will place dentists where needed, to fill empty positions or when dentists take breaks. Dentists may work in one of the areas listed above or may choose to volunteer in any non-dental position.

Dental Hygienists: Those with a current, unrestricted Minnesota license (or volunteer temporary license) may work in the following areas: Hygiene, Hygiene Support, Anesthesia, or Radiography. Hygienists may also choose to work in Dental Triage (scribing for the initial oral exam), Sterilization, Assisting, Record Verification or Patient Education.

Registered Dental Assistants: Experienced dental assistants may work in the following areas: Dental Triage (scribing for the initial oral exam), Restorative, Clinic Support, Oral Surgery, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatrics, Radiography, Record Verification, Sterilization, Dental Supply or Patient Education.

*NEW! Unregistered dental assistants may work chairside in Restorative.

X-Ray Technicians: Individuals with appropriate training and experience to provide or assist with digital panoramic and intraoral X-rays.

Laboratory Technicians: Individuals with appropriate training and experience to fabricate, or repair oral prosthetics, including treatment partials.

Dental Equipment Technicians: Individuals with appropriate training and experience to set-up, maintain, and tear down dental equipment.

Front Office Staff/Billing Clerks: May work in Data Entry, Patient Exit Interview, Record Verification, Patient Registration or any other non-dental positions.

Dental Students: There are many wonderful opportunities for students, a limited number of dental students will be allowed to provide direct patient treatment under supervision of their dental school proctor. This event will be a great learning opportunity and we encourage students to volunteer in positions where they can interact with patients – Dental Triage, Patient Education, Assisting, Post-Op Check, Exit Interview or Patient Ambassador.

Hygiene / Assisting Students: Sign up for Sterilization, Patient Education, Hygiene Support, Clinic Support or any non-dental position.

Physician, Physician Assistant, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nursing Student: Sign up for Medical Triage.

Pharmacist / Pharmacy Tech / Pharmacy Student: Sign up for the onsite Pharmacy.

General Volunteer: Sign up for Registration, Patient Ambassador (escort patients in the clinic), Volunteer Registration, Parking, Translator, Data Entry, Hospitality, Set-up, Tear-Down.