FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WAITED IN LINE THIS MORNING FOR THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GET FREE DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING CARE AT THE MISSION OF MERCY EVENT. I BELIEVE I NEED A FILLING AND I MIGHT NEED A ROOT CANAL, AND I’M IN A LITTLE BIT OF PAIN ON THIS SIDE. I CHIPPED MY TOOTH IN A UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT, AND I’M HOPING TO HAVE IT CAPPED BECAUSE IT MAKES ME SAD TO LOOK AT. INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER, YOU’LL FIND NEARLY 2000 VOLUNTEERS READY TO HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN, WHETHER THAT BE DENTAL CLEANINGS, EYE EXAMS, OR HEARING SCREENINGS. WE HAVE 100 DENTAL CHAIRS THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE COME IN FOR 12 EYE LANES. 18 HEARING STATIONS THAT WE BRING PEOPLE IN AND GIVE THEM THAT CARE. EVERY SINGLE PERSON WE SPOKE TO SAYS THEY’RE NOT ONLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS FREE CARE, BUT FOR THE COMPASSION. THEY ALSO RECEIVE. WE COME MOST EVERY YEAR FOR DENTAL CARE AND EVERYBODY IS SO SWEET HERE. THEY’RE JUST SO KIND AND SO PATIENT, AND THEY TREAT YOU WITH A LOT OF DIGNITY. IT’S A FANTASTIC SERVICE, AND I REALLY VALUE THE DENTISTS AND OPTOMETRISTS AND HEARING PEOPLE THAT TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO DO STUFF LIKE THIS. I AM IN LINE AT 4 A.M. IN THE MORNING, SO I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE TIME THAT THESE DOCTORS ARE GIVING TO US. AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP TO GET THESE FREE SERVICES. BUT IT IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE UNTIL THEY HIT CAPACITY. THIS CLINIC IS ALSO HAPPENING AGAIN TOMORROW, STARTING AT SIX IN THE MORNING. FOR NOW, COVERING ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Hundreds line up for free dental, hearing, vision care at Mission of Mercy’s Pittsburgh event
The event offers free dental, vision and hearing care.
Updated: 12:41 PM EDT Oct 24, 2025
Hundreds of people lined up outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday morning to receive free dental, vision and hearing care at the Mission of Mercy event.”I need a filling, and I might need a root canal. And I’m in a little bit of pain on this side,” Lori Matlack, a patient, said. Juliette Elbaum, another patient, shared, “I chipped for my tooth, and, unfortunate incident. And I’m hoping to have it capped because it makes me sad to look at.”More than 1,000 people are expected to attend over the next two days.Inside the convention center, nearly 2,000 volunteers were ready to assist with dental cleanings, eye exams, hearing screenings and so much more. “We have 100 dental chairs that we have people come in for, 12 eye lanes, 18 hearing stations that we bring people in and give them that care,” Keith Young, administrative director for Mission of Mercy, said. Attendees expressed gratitude not only for the free care but also for the compassion they received. “We come most every year for our dental care. And everybody’s so sweet here. They’re just so kind and so patient, and they treat you with a lot of dignity,” Matlack said.Elbaum added, “It’s a fantastic service and I really value the dentists and optometrists and hearing people that take time out of their day to do stuff like this.””I am in line at 4 a.m. in the morning, so I am very grateful for the time that these doctors are given to us,” another patient, Cheryl Edmonds, said.The event operates on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. The clinic will continue Saturday, starting at 6 a.m.
PITTSBURGH —
Hundreds of people lined up outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday morning to receive free dental, vision and hearing care at the Mission of Mercy event.
“I need a filling, and I might need a root canal. And I’m in a little bit of pain on this side,” Lori Matlack, a patient, said.
Juliette Elbaum, another patient, shared, “I chipped for my tooth, and, unfortunate incident. And I’m hoping to have it capped because it makes me sad to look at.”
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend over the next two days.
Inside the convention center, nearly 2,000 volunteers were ready to assist with dental cleanings, eye exams, hearing screenings and so much more.
“We have 100 dental chairs that we have people come in for, 12 eye lanes, 18 hearing stations that we bring people in and give them that care,” Keith Young, administrative director for Mission of Mercy, said.
Attendees expressed gratitude not only for the free care but also for the compassion they received.
“We come most every year for our dental care. And everybody’s so sweet here. They’re just so kind and so patient, and they treat you with a lot of dignity,” Matlack said.
Elbaum added, “It’s a fantastic service and I really value the dentists and optometrists and hearing people that take time out of their day to do stuff like this.”
“I am in line at 4 a.m. in the morning, so I am very grateful for the time that these doctors are given to us,” another patient, Cheryl Edmonds, said.
The event operates on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. The clinic will continue Saturday, starting at 6 a.m.