Mobile Dentists and its Smile Programs, a 501(c)3 non-profit, grant-funded foundation, has been providing dental care for school age children, as well as children enrolled in Head Start, in Ohio for six years. They provide preventive services of x-rays, cleanings, exams, fluoride and sealants to children in nearly a dozen states.
Mobile Dentists visited East and West Elementary Schools in St. Marys Tuesday and today, providing preventive dental care to nearly 80 students. It is a service that is very much in need, East and West Elementary School Nurse Sherrie Keighley said.
“Our numbers reflect it,” Keighley said, noting the schools saw a slight increase in student participation compared to last year.
The mobile dental service was a time saver for parents who are busy working.
“It’s an excellent service,” she said.
The dental services may be paid by a family’s private dental insurance, Medicaid/Healthy Start, Healthy Families, by check for a subsidized fee or by financial assistance.
Financial assistance is available to children who meet the income qualification. It is provided by a grant offered through Mobile Dentists. During the current economic times, the aid is appreciated, Keighley said.
“They offer it (financial assistance), it’s really great,” she said.
Dr. Brenda Bailey has been involved with Mobile Dentists for the past six years. She said there was definitely a need for the services her team provides.
“A lot of the children probably wouldn’t see a dentist otherwise,” Bailey said. “It helps a lot of children.”
Bailey said she and Registered Dental Hygienists Carol Ann Hoffman and Kelli Rodriguez-Laws were seeing a lot of decay in the children they treated throughout the state.
“High amounts of decay and in really young ages too,” Bailey said. “I think it’s on the increase in younger kids, some of it has to do with our diets.
Bailey sited foods rich in carbohydrates, such as soft drinks and white bread as two of the main culprits.
“White bread, it is very tenacious,” she said. “It tends to stick.”
East Elementary Principal Sue Sherman said the Mobile Dentists ensured more students would receive the dental care they needed.
“There’s a limited number of dentists in the area that will take medical cards, and so this is a way to service the kids that need it,” Sherman said. “It’s very convenient. We’re fortunate to have a group that does provide their service.”