Are you new to the IMOM event? Here’s a few helpful hints so you know what to expect when you attend the event.
WHO SHOULD COME?
· Adults and children
· Those who do not have enough money to pay for dental care
· Those who do not have a regular dentist
DATES:
Friday, October 4 & Saturday, October 5, 2024
LOCATION:
Tyson Events Center, 401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA
Come early! We’ll open the clinic doors at 6:00 am. No appointments will be taken. Patients are seen on a first-come/first-served basis. The number of patients seen will be limited by our clinic capacity. Expect a long day! Our volunteer team does not sacrifice the quality of the procedures to rush patients. Please be prepared for a long wait.
PLEASE NOTE: Fire arms, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I receive services at IMOM?
A. Come and wait in line. Patients will be seen on a first-come/first-served basis. We do not make appointments. In previous years patients started lining up outside the day/night before. You will have the best chance at being seen by arriving as early as you can. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Doors to the clinic will open at 6:00 am Friday and Saturday. Since we expect to see hundreds of patients in a day, please be prepared to wait several hours for service.
Q. I’m not from Iowa. Can I still receive services at IMOM?
A. Yes! If you can travel to IMOM you can be seen as a patient.
Q. What type of care is provided at IMOM?
A. Patients may receive a variety of services from cleanings, root canals, extractions and fillings. There are also a limited number of partial dentures available on a first-come/first-served basis. The clinic does not provide wisdom teeth extractions, crowns, full dentures or implants. During the dental triage process, dentists will evaluate patients to prioritize the services they will receive.
Q. What can I expect at IMOM?
A. Patients seeking treatment at IMOM should be prepared to spend the entire day at the event center. Please bring any necessary prescription medication you normally take throughout the day and continue taking medications on your regular dosing schedule. Please bring layers (jackets, sweaters, etc) as the temperature may fluctuate in the events center. The clinic will open at 6:00 am both Friday and Saturday and we will continue to allow patients to enter until capacity has been reached. Patients must maintain their place in line while waiting to enter the clinic and cannot be gone for a long period of time for any reason. Once inside the building and a patient wristband has been issued, patients are not allowed to leave the building for any reason or they will have to return to the end of the line and re-enter the building. For everyone’s safety, no one is allowed on the clinic floor without a volunteer escort. Family/friends are not allowed to accompany the patient on the clinic floor during their treatment. Family/friends of patients will be escorted to the Family Waiting area where the patients can meet up with them upon the conclusion of their treatment. Patients will be escorted, as necessary, by a volunteer for restroom and smoking breaks.
Once inside, patients will be given a numbered wristband and a registration form which requests basic patient information. We will not be checking IDs. Once registered, patients will be taken to medical triage where their blood pressure will be taken and questions will be asked to determine that everyone is fit to safely receive dental treatment. From medical triage, they will be escorted to dental triage where a dentist will evaluate the patient and talk with them about recommended treatment. After dental triage, patients will be taken to routing, where another dentist will confirm the decision made in dental triage and place the appropriate treatment cards in their file. From there, the patient is escorted to the first area of treatment and are checked into that treatment area where patients are treated in the order of check in to that treatment area. Patients, as necessary, will be taken to the x-ray department before they receive treatment. Once patients have received treatment, they will be escorted to the clinic exit where all patients will be asked to take a short exit survey.
Q. Will childcare be available at the event?
A. Yes, childcare will be provided for patients at IMOM. All children, whether they are receiving treatment or simply waiting while their parent/guardian receives treatment, will be checked into the childcare area with their parent/guardian prior to completing the patient registration process. Escorts will assist in ensuring your child(ren) are transported safely throughout the treatment process (if they are receiving treatment) and then back to the childcare area where the parent/guardian will be able to pick them up once the parent/guardian’s treatment has been completed.
Q. Is this event really free?
A. Yes! Hundreds of dental professionals from across the state and community volunteers donate their time to make IMOM happen. Additionally, we have a number of event sponsors that make monetary and in-kind donations. Without this generosity, it would be difficult to have an event of this magnitude.