16
ages 0-18, but also reduced-fee services ranging from dental
cleanings and fluoride treatments to sealants and referrals to a
dental home.
While the bus first rolled into action in 2014, this summer MCR
Health revved up its community outreach and now shuttles the
bus daily to many area schools, festivals, and events throughout
the neighboring counties, often working six days a week.
“The news has really spread, and the service has taken off with
a high demand,” said Gamboa. “My phone rings like this nonstop
with requests and people wondering if this is really a free
mobile screening service. This woman who called me wanted
a date that was already booked. I told her I would have to email
her what I still had available. Our calendar is getting really busy.”
The skyrocket of demand
reflects the fundamental need
to get kids – especially the
underserved and uninsured –
to the dentist, Gamboa shared.
The pediatric mobile dental
service extends as a branch
of MCR Health – a private, notfor
profit healthcare system
providing family practice,
internal medicine, pediatrics,
OB/GYN, Behavioral Health,
vision, and other medical
services. Patients can tap
into 30 different healthcare
centers, two mobile units,
and 13 pharmacies that dot
the three counties and offer
reduced rates and sliding
fee scales for the poor and
uninsured.
“This truly is a brilliant
service of MCR Health and
so important to be mobile
because so many of our
families are underserved
and hardworking with some
parents not only working one
job, but two or three, and they
may have two, three, or four
kids,” said Gamboa whose
voice rose with passion.
“Many live in remote areas,
like Arcadia and Parrish, and
have to take off work and drive
45 or 50 minutes to get their
kids to a dentist. How about if
they don’t even have a car?”
When children fall ill to the
flu and spike fevers, parents
tend to spring into action
and drop everything to get
their kids to the doctor or an
emergency room, Gamboa
says. However, when a tooth problem emerges in their children,
many parents who don’t have access to regular dentists or the
ability to easily take off work postpone treatment until a problem
flares out of control.
According to the American Dental Association, cavities or tooth
decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood. When
untreated, it can result in pain, infection and even inhibit eating,
speaking, and playing. “How can kids go to school and learn if
they are in pain?” asked Gamboa.
With the Dental Express, treatment comes to you. Parents can
still go to work, and kids can attend school while also popping
into the bus parked right on their campus for a dental checkup.
Bright turquoise, orange, and neon green color the bus in bold