PEDIATRIC MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC

October 14 - 21, 2016

Dental health is critical to everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status. The importance of dental care begins in our youth because of the long-term effects to ones overall health; in children, oral pain affects: sleep patterns, growth communication, social life, self-esteem, behavioral health, and learning development.

 

Poor dental care is most common amongst the socio-economically disadvantaged, such as those living in poverty. Underemployed working families are threatened with high dental costs and are required to choose between food or shelter and ultimately conclude that dental health is a luxury versus a necessity.

 

Our annual Pediatric Mobile Dental Clinic's (MDC) purpose is to provide dental care access to uninsured children with serious dental problems, whose families’ income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line, and reside within the cities of Arcadia, Altadena, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.  The MDC started in 2010 has provided 700 children with more than 11,000 severely needed dental procedures valued at nearly one million dollars. In partnership with Duarte Unified School District and the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC provide the following services:

Sevices

Prevention and Education
  • Oral Evaluation and treatment Plan
  • X-Ray
  • Cleaning
  • Fluoride/Sealant Treatment
  • Preventaline
  • Resin-Filing and Extractions
  • Scaling
  • Oral hygiene and Nutritional Education
  • Referrals to Specialty Care
  • Nutrition facts and tips
  • Oral hygiene presentation and consultation
  • Provide toothbrush and tooth past
  • Develop healthy habits
  • Health Insurance Information

 

A family of 5 living off of minimum wage was able to get all 3 of their children dental services at no cost to them. Their oldest son needed a total of 24 dental procedures, while the middle and younger children needed urgent dental care not covered through Medi-Cal and they did not qualify for Medi-Cal.  As a parent, it is heart-breaking when you are not able to financially provide for your children, and this was the case for this family. This family received 71 dental procedures that included x-rays, cleanings, filings, extractions and education for the children and the parents. Being part of this event not only saved the children’s health but also brought peace of mind to their parents who daily experience the worry caused by limited finances.  Please help bring the Pediatric Mobile Dental Clinic to our community for local families just like this one.

 

Your contribution will make a differnce in the dental health of local children.

 

 

Proud Sponsor: The Law Offices of Donald P. Schweitzer, Circle of Friends