The SmileMobile, a modern three chair dental office on wheels, brings oral health services year-round to low-income children with limited access to a dentist. Since it first hit the road in July 1995, the mobile clinic has treated more than 25,000 children throughout Washington—an average of 60 children each week. In 2010, with the help of 96 volunteer dental professionals, the SmileMobile examined 2,006 children, provided treatment to 1,238 and 3,695 preventive Services.
SmileMobile services range from examinations and preventive care to fillings and minor oral surgery – all provided at little or no cost to patients. The SmileMobile is a partnership between Washington Dental Service, Washington Dental Service Foundation, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The Eastman Dental Center, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, today unveiled the new Ronald McDonald House Charities SMILEmobile, a dental office on wheels allowing the city's children increased access to much needed dental care.
Until today, the Eastman Dental Center has had three SMILEmobiles serving preschoolers and elementary students by visiting 15 city schools. Thousands of the underserved and uninsured children need dental care because of decay and infection. On the SMILEmobiles, children receive cleanings, fluoride, sealants and other restorative services. The new Ronald McDonald House Charities SMILEmobile means that 2,400 additional students will now have access to care. Each SMILEmobile is staffed with a dentist, hygienist, dental assistant and administrative coordinator.
"Supporting the SMILEmobile program makes perfect sense for us," said Elsa Steo, board president of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY, which provided the lead gift for the unit. "Supporting the health and well being of Rochester area children is a wonderful expansion of who we are and what we do…we're thrilled to be a part of this new SMILEmobile. It's a win-win for everyone."
The second lead donor is the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, a long time supporter of the SMILEmobile program and a satellite clinic at the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation Outreach Dental Center at School 17. Others include the Joan & Harold Feinbloom Supporting Foundation, the J.M. McDonald Foundation, the Mary S. Mulligan Charitable Trust and the Fred & Floy Willmott Foundation.
