MANKATO — Setup is in full swing today for the Mission of Mercy dental clinic at Verizon Wireless Center.
It’s a big job. The clinic on Friday and Saturday is expected to treat 2,000 patients with the help of about 1,000 volunteers.
This is the first such clinic offered in Minnesota.
The free dental care is available to children and adults who are uninsured, underinsured and not able to obtain dental treatment. Free care being provided includes cleanings, fillings, extractions and limited treatment for partial dental appliances. It is put on by the Minnesota Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Foundation.
The doors open at 5:30 a.m. Friday and early arrival is encouraged. Some patients were already camped outside the civic center Wednesday night.


