Dental News - Mobile clinic provides $300,000 in care during a cross-country tour

Dental Tribune USA

Mon. 13 January 2020

save

IRVINE, Calif., USA: A Mobile Dental Clinic operated by the Pacific Dental Services (PDS) Foundation provided $342,234 in donated dentistry to 502 patients in need during its 2019 tour across the country.

In collaboration with The Smile Generation, the Mobile Dental Clinic made 15 stops across the United States, during which 422 Smile Generation-trusted dentists and volunteers provided comprehensive oral health care to patients in need. Adult and pediatric patients received same-day crowns, cleanings, composites, extractions, and fluoride treatments.

The 2019 tour kicked off in Columbia, S.C., at Transition Homeless Center in April and continued across the country, where it served patients at three Special Olympics events, in San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Long Beach, Calif.; at a women’s shelter in Portland, Ore.; and at the Key Free Clinic in Lakebay, Wash., before ending its tour at the Arizona Mission of Mercy event on Dec. 13 and 14.

“We’re so grateful for all of our volunteers throughout the United States that took time out of their weekends to help meet the oral health care needs of so many,” said Kyle Guerin, director, PDS Foundation & Corporate Social Responsibility. “It truly shows their commitment to service and in creating healthier, happier smiles for all. It’s a privilege to be able to provide more access to care to those who need it most. 2020’s MDC tour will be even bigger and better.”

Dates for the Mobile Dental Clinic’s 2020 tour were recently announced, with the clinic making its first stop in Columbia, S.C., on March 21.

Smile Generation-trusted dentists are focused on providing oral health care to their patients to keep them healthier. This includes educating patients about the link between oral health and whole-body health — known as the Mouth-Body Connection. Research shows that harmful bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can indicate and even cause systemic conditions throughout the body. Maladies of the mouth, including periodontal disease, may be linked with other medical conditions including oral cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and more.

The PDS Foundation’s Mobile Dental Clinic enables Smile Generation-trusted clinicians and volunteers to provide donated dental care to people in challenged areas, and provide dentistry to patients during major community healthcare events.

About Pacific Dental Services Foundation

The Pacific Dental Services Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to create opportunities to serve through improving oral healthcare locally, nationally and internationally. By creating opportunities to serve, the PDS Foundation positively enhances the lives of those in need, and in turn, those who serve. The foundation provides access and advocacy to disadvantaged and underserved communities in four key areas: PDS Foundation Mobile Dental Clinic, Special Needs Advocacy and Training, Dental Assistant Education Scholarships and International Trips. More information is available online, at www.pdsfoundation.org.

(Source: PDS Foundation)