Mobile Dental Van
The
39-foot van is staffed by dentists and hygienists from the University at Buffalo
School of Dental Medicine, Pediatric and Community Dentistry department, and is
equipped with two dental operatories, including state-of-the art diagnostics,
sterilization, and radiography. The Van travels throughout Chautauqua County
and offers screenings, cleanings, fillings, and sealants to children from birth
to age 18. Its patient population is mainly children who are covered by
Medicaid or have limited or no dental insurance.
Last year, thanks to the
Mobile Dental Van, 1,500 children in schools throughout Chautauqua County
received oral health care.
Dental students may elect
to spend time on the van observing the dentist who regularly
staffs the clinic. In addition to treatment, dental screenings are performed during school hours to determine whether the teeth need cleaning,
additional diagnostic testing, or a radiographs.
Once
it has been confirmed that the child needs comprehensive care,
a second
appointment will be made to address the child’s oral health problem.
These visits may take 45 minutes to an hour,
depending on the child’s age and the amount/type of work that needs to be
completed.
History
Chautauqua County is
a rural community where many residents do not have regular or adequate
transportation. Many have grown up without
ever visiting a dentist unless it was an emergency. Poor children were at
the highest risk of having dental problems and had difficulty in finding a
dentist.
The Dental Mobile Van
was created from a generous grant funded by the Gebbie Foundation and supported
by the
United Way
Chautauqua County’s Success by Six Dental Committee, in collaboration with
the Chaqutauqua County Department of Health, Social Services, and the
University at Buffalo School of Dental
Medicine.
Information
For more information about
the Mobile Dental Van, please contact: Marcia Skrzeczkowski at
marciaubmdv@att.net or call toll-free,
866-254-0052.
