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Colorado Mission of Mercy organizers say Teller County likely host in Sept. 2026; ask community for volunteers
Summary
Dr. Stephanie Kaufman presented the Colorado Mission of Mercy (CoMOM) program to council, said the two-day free dental clinic has provided millions in donated care statewide and is likely to come to Teller County in September 2026; organizers requested volunteer support and community coordination.
Dr. Stephanie Hedstrom Kaufman, a general dental surgeon who has practiced in Woodland Park for 20 years, asked the council on Sept. 18 to support the Colorado Mission of Mercy (CoMOM) and to help recruit volunteers if the program brings a two-day donated dental clinic to Teller County in fall 2026.
Kaufman described CoMOM as a longstanding state-wide charitable program (inception 2007) that has delivered care to roughly 20,000 Colorado residents and provided more than $18 million in donated treatment. She said the event typically assembles dozens of dentists, hygienists and volunteers in a single large clinic offering restorative dentistry (fillings), oral surgery, endodontics (root canals), onsite crown fabrication, dentures, oral cancer screenings, and pediatric care. Organizers use digital radiography, milling equipment and a full dental lab on site; implant dentistry is not typically offered because of time constraints.
Kaufman said the event next month will be in Loveland and that state and national organizers have been working with Teller County stakeholders; she told the council that, while the site was not yet finalized, it is “very likely” CoMOM will hold its September 2026 clinic in Teller County. She said the project would need up to about 1,000 volunteers and that volunteer roles include both clinical professionals and nonclinical helpers (food service, patient runners, registration). Kaufman said she intends to involve high-school students for volunteer hours where appropriate and that DORA (the state licensing authority) allows organizers to provide temporary licensure for out-of-state dentists who volunteer.
Kaufman asked the council and community to be prepared to form committees and support volunteer recruitment once the final site is confirmed. Council members thanked Kaufman and asked questions about volunteer timing, training and the likely patient catchment area; Kaufman said the clinic will be first-come, first-served and that organizers plan outreach to neighboring counties (Chaffee, Park, and Cañon City) as well as Teller County.
No formal council action or vote was taken; the presentation was informational and included a request for volunteer support if the event is hosted locally.
