As I arrived outside of the Oregon Convention Center, a calm, dark morning was waiting for the sun to rise at 5:30 am in the morning. Entering the treatment area, the hustle of volunteers and patients turned my idea of volunteering into reality. I was excited to serve people, as it was my first experience at a state level dental event on such a large scale. I was assisting various departments as per their need depending on my shifts assigned at the event.
During one of my volunteer shifts in the restorative department as a dental assistant, a 62-year female patient who had been an opera singer in the past came for multiple fillings including her upper anterior teeth. At the beginning of the treatment, she shared her previous constructive experience at OrMOM and her words revealed her gratification that had brought her again to this event.