Dr. Jacqueline Allen’s voice is unmistakable: as dynamic, empathetic and strong as it is filled with emotion when she talks about her work at the Arizona Mission of Mercy (AZMOM) event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds last month. “Every day is a challenge, coming here and doing this for people. It makes you realize the world can be a better place and that we can help each other.” Allen is past-president and founding member of the Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation (CADSF), the organization that hosts the event. “We do about $2 million of dentistry over two days and see about 2,000 patients — many who’ve been in pain for years but haven’t gotten treatment,” she said. Started by CADSF in 2012, AZMOM brings together hundreds of dentists, oral surgeons, hygienists and lab technicians — along with more than 1,500 other volunteers — who all donate their time to provide dental care and education to underserved Arizonans. Operating like a MASH unit, CADSF Karen Werner | Editor Past-president and founding member of the Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation JACQUELINE ALLEN, DDS OFFICE DOORS {valley changemakers} 12 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JANUARY 2019

Every year, the Central Arizona Dental Society Mission of Mercy event helps thousands of people in need of dental care at no cost. Photos: Karen Werner