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A symphony of hope, need, and dental drills filled the gymnasium of New Britain High School during the annual Mission of Mercy (MOM) event on June 20 and 21.

MOM offers free dental, medical, and vision care clinics to underserved communities, and a contingent of ������Ƶ nursing students participated and helped to treat more than 1,000 patients.  

The future healthcare heroes were the first point of contact for the stream of patients. The sheer volume of patients meant every assessment had to be swift yet thorough.

The triage area was a whirlwind of activity. Students rotated through stations, triaging everything from chronic pain and minor infections to more urgent, undiagnosed conditions. They learned to prioritize, to communicate effectively under pressure, and to empathize deeply with each patient’s story. 

Lisa Perry-Swain, the executive director of the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach noted, “If your mouth is not healthy, your body is not healthy, and there can be systemic issues.” 

More than 800 volunteers, including the Central nursing students, collaborated on the event. The experience not only provided clinical rotation experience, but also a profound lesson in community service, compassion, and the true impact of nursing.