Iowa Mission of Mercy Offers Free Dental Care
A two-day free dental clinic at the Iowa State Fairgrounds drew overnight lines as patients sought cleanings, fillings, and extractions.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Iowa Mission of Mercy hosted a two-day free dental clinic at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, with patients lining up beginning Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Organizers said capacity for Friday was reached by 8:20 a.m., and the building remained open overnight for Saturday services.
Why it matters
The clinic addresses a significant gap in access to dental care for residents who cannot afford treatment, offering services without requiring questions or payment. Demand that exceeded capacity by Friday morning underscores how many Iowans rely on free care when other options are out of reach.
IMOM served 1,048 patients in 2025, exceeding its planned target of 1,000 patients. About 1,000 volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, staff the clinic, but the total patients treated at this year's event has not been reported.
The players
Iowa Mission of Mercy
Iowa Mission of Mercy is a volunteer-driven free dental clinic that provides no-cost dental care to Iowans who lack access to treatment.
Iowa Dental Foundation
The Iowa Dental Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports dental health initiatives across Iowa and sponsors charitable dental care programs.
The details
The Iowa Dental Foundation hosted the clinic at the Jacobson Exhibition Center, which provides cleaning, fillings, x-rays, root canals, oral surgeries, and pediatric procedures. Patients who still needed care on Friday were allowed to line up for Saturday and wait outside until 5:00 p.m., when the Horse Barn opened for those patients.
Timeline
Thursday at 10:00 a.m.: Patients began lining up for the clinic.
Friday at 8:20 a.m.: Capacity for Friday was reached.
Friday at 5:00 p.m.: The Horse Barn opened for Saturday patients who had waited outside.
Friday night into Saturday: The building remained open overnight for Saturday services.
Philanthropy Landscape
The Iowa Mission of Mercy clinic follows its established annual model of volunteer-staffed, no-cost dental care in Des Moines. Its 2025 patient total of 1,048 serves as the benchmark against which this year's demand is measured.
Iowans without dental insurance or savings can receive cleanings, fillings, x-rays, root canals, and extractions at no cost by lining up at the clinic. Patients who arrive after capacity is reached may need to wait overnight to be seen on the following day.
The takeaway
Free clinics like this one depend on roughly 1,000 volunteers and on patients arriving early, so people in need should plan to arrive well before the doors open. Checking local dental charity listings before a clinic date can help residents secure a place in line.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage to see how charitable health programs like this one operate across Des Moines.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who13.
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