Newman student-athletes volunteered at the Kansas Mission of Mercy, a two-day event held at the Kansas Pavilions in Park City, Kan. Hundreds of dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists donated their time during the weekend event, doing free dental work for those who otherwise could not afford it. Nearly 2,000 patients received cleanings, fillings and extractions. Hundreds of volunteers, including Newman University student-athletes, turned the Pavilion into a large dental clinic where they saw about 100 patients an hour. Newman student-athletes helped in 4 hour shifts with set up and take down before and after the event. Almost 90 Newman student-athletes volunteered their time at the event. Again, a total of about 400   dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, along with the hundreds of community volunteers were on hand to participate in this free dental clinic.
 
Nearly 90 Newman student-athletes unloaded two semi-tractor trailers full of dental chairs, units, lights, sterilizers, and air and water systems, and many crates of donated dental supplies. The Newman University student athletes were then trained to set up the 100 chair dental clinic, more than 1,000 chair waiting area and sterilization area as well. After the mission ended the student athletes took all of the same equipment   disassembled it, packed it, and loaded it all back into the trailers.
 
“It was most obvious to me that the Newman University student athletes were there to make a difference,” said Dr. Jon Tilton, co-founder of the Kansas Mission of Mercy. “They arrived with a tremendous attitude and threw themselves into whatever needed to be done. Their energy was infectious and it gave the other volunteers a boost when they needed it most, throughout the weekend. Vic Trill, the Newman University Athletic Director, had told me the student/athletes of Newman University have a strong sense of community and are dedicated to helping others. I could not agree more.”
 
This year was the 10th year for the clinic and the first time it was in Wichita since 2006. Back then, 1900 people took advantage of an estimated $1 million of free dental care. This year, on the first day, volunteers had provided $814,434 in free dental care to 828 patients.
 
The event started at 5:30 a.m. on Friday with about 500 patients waiting all night for the clinic to open. Some patients arrived as early as 10:30 p.m. on Thursday night.
 
To receive care, patients must first pass a medical and dental screening, said Kansas Mission of Mercy co-founder Jon Tilton, a former Wichita dentist who is vice president for professional review and dental director at Delta Dental.
 
Extractions are typically the most sought-after service, he said. Clinic officials estimate they will extract between 3,000 and 4,000 teeth throughout the two-day clinic.
 
“The need or good dental care never goes down,” said Jeff Stasch, a Garden City dentist and co-founder of Kansas Mission of Mercy. “There is always more than we can treat every place we go.”
 
“Newman University student-athletes did a tremendous job,” Stasch said. “They were awesome. They showed up and jumped in like killing snakes and really worked hard. Vic (Trilli) and his wife (Kathy) brought in like-minded passionate young student athletes that really want to give back. Newman University has great athletic programs, but really super impressive young people. They showed great passion and commitment to their volunteer work with the Kansas Mission of Mercy.”