An annual two-day free dental clinic that has treated more than 1,000 people a year has been called off for 2009.

For two years the Roanoke Mission of Mercy dental clinic has been a spring event at the Roanoke Civic Center, but scheduling conflicts with dental conferences forced organizers to cancel this year’s clinic and plan for Spring 2010.

Organizers face escalating costs and may change the location. Roanoke city officials have decided to charge Mission of Mercy part of the cost of using the civic center.

[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/197056 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)

*The City of Salem should step up and offer use of the Salem Civic Center for free to Mission of Mercy.*