What NOT to bring?

Please leave your personal belongings safely at home or locked in the trunk of your car. We do not have a secured area for you to leave them at the event.

I'm not a dental/medical health professional. Is there a way I can help?

Yes! We need many different types of volunteers – hospitality/food, patient escorts, patient greeters, translators, parking/security, runners, registration, set-up/tear down, volunteer check-in, willing hands, etc. We need your help!

Is there a minimum age for volunteers?

For liability, all volunteers on the clinic floor during clinic hours must be 18 years old. If you are younger than 18, there are other positions available not on the clinic floor that you can work as long as a parent or guardian is present and signs your waiver form.  We welcome high school groups to assist with clean-up after the clinic is complete.

If I can't volunteer at the event, is there another way I can help?

This event will be a great learning opportunity and we encourage students to volunteer in positions where they can interact with patients. There are many areas in which students can assist the dentist or hygienist, but students cannot treat patients.

I'm a New Mexico licensed volunteer, what do I need to know?

All clinical volunteers are required to be licensed and must have a current, active New Mexico license to practice. License numbers will be requested on the volunteer registration form. Anyone involved directly with patient care will be required to be up to date on their Hepatitis vaccines. The NM MOM event will maintain universal infection control practices at all times. All clinical individuals involved in patient treatment must carry the appropriate malpractice insurance coverage and ensure that the coverage allows you to participate in a volunteer treatment event.

How can I get liability insurance as a public health provider?

Public health dental/medical professionals in New Mexico, can obtain liability coverage through the State Tort Claims Act for the NM MOM event by completing paperwork online at http://www.nmmrcserves.org/. This is the state registry for professionals who have volunteered to assist in state emergencies. Please be aware that you are signing up for a larger program and will receive information on other missions. You have no requirement to accept a mission and you can remove yourself from the registry after the NM MOM event. There is an approval process so applications must be completed and submitted by October 15th, 2026.

To register for New Mexico Serves go to https://volunteer.nmmrcserves.org/. On the left side of the website welcome page, click "Register Now." Completely fill out the information listed, create your log-in and accept the terms and conditions and continue to the next page. Follow the instructions on the website and submit for approval.

Can I bring my own dental assistant, or will one be provided for me?

You are welcome to bring your assistant, but they must register individually. There is an area on the registration form that allows you and your assistant to name each other in order to work together. Dentists are encouraged to have their entire office register. This is a great opportunity to volunteer as a team. We have plenty of opportunities for everyone in the office to help. Dentists who are not paired with their own assistant will be provided a volunteer if available.

How do I provide my employer with proof that I volunteered?

We will provide work release forms to volunteers to submit to their employers to document the time spent volunteering at NM MOM. Please visit the information desk at the event.

If I can't volunteer at the event, is there another way I can help?

Absolutely! A project of this magnitude requires nearly $300,000 in tax-deductible donations and in-kind contributions to cover expenses for dental equipment and facility rentals, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food costs. Consider donating money or in-kind products or services. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make a difference in treating hundreds of patients. Please visit the DONATE page for more information. To volunteer for pre-event planning please email nmmom2@nmdaf.org for more information.