When someone has dental problems such as untreated dental decay or an abscessed tooth, the issue goes far beyond cosmetics. In addition to affecting someone’s ability to chew food and get adequate nutrition, it can lead to a host of other health problems.
Recognizing the link between dental conditions and overall health, the Washington Regional Medical Center has established a charitable dental clinic on wheels. Community organizations such as the Walmart Foundation, which contributed $1.86 million, and the University of Arkansas Institute for Community and Family were instrumental in the research, development and funding of the Washington Regional Mobile Dental Clinic, said Larry Shackelford, Washington Regional Senior Vice President for Outreach Services.
“When those groups approached Washington Regional, as a local not-for-profit health system, to assist in the administration and operation of a mobile unit to help meet this important community need, we saw it as a perfect fit,” Shackelford said. “The Mobile Dental Clinic is directly in line with Washington Regional’s mission of improving the health of the communities we serve. We are pleased that the Mobile Dental Clinic has been able to reach so many individuals. There is clearly a need for its services, as evidenced by the number of new-patient applications we have received. With continued community support, we will remain committed to improving access to dental care throughout the region.”
Low-income families, especially those living in rural areas, often face significant challenges, such as lack of transportation or lack of dental insurance. The Washington Regional Mobile Dental Clinic provides this service for members of the community who otherwise could not access it.
“This program has been so beneficial for my husband,” said the wife of one patient. “He is a veteran, but is not eligible for dental benefits through the VA. He has had several heart issues, including heart valve replacement, which means he has to watch for any infection. If an abscess were to happen, it could cause major health issues for his heart, so getting seen at the Mobile Dental Clinic and being able to get his teeth extracted has saved issues in the future of any infection caused by his teeth that are worn and broken.”
The Mobile Dental Clinic’s accessible design has eased other burdens for the couple, as well.
“My husband is disabled and uses a walker, so being able to pull right up to the clinic’s handicap lift makes my life much easier and eases the stress on my husband,” she said.
The 40-foot customized vehicle features two exam rooms, a lab, an X-ray machine, sterilization system and a computer network for medical records and scheduling. The clinic is fully staffed with a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant and a program manager. After a screening and assessment are conducted, an appointment is set up for patients in need.
Finding patients has been no problem. Since launching in September 2014, the Mobile Dental Clinic has served an estimated 2,000 patients throughout Northwest Arkansas.
“We serve patients 18 and above, which has been an underserved group for our area,” said Kyra Gregory, Washington Regional Mobile Dental Clinic manager. “A healthy mouth is so important to overall health. Missing teeth, cavities and gum disease can cause difficulty eating, which can cause people to change what they are eating. They may not be getting needed nutrients from sources like fruits and vegetables because of the difficulty of chewing and swallowing their food.”
In addition to nutritional issues, research done by the Mayo Clinic links poor oral health to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and even pregnancy complications resulting in premature birth and low birth weight.
While they do not have the ability to make dentures at the Mobile Dental Clinic, they provide patients with contact information for local dentists who do make dentures.
Gregory said if their dentist feels that a patient needs to be seen for further treatment beyond what they can do at the Mobile Dental Clinic, he will recommend they go to their family physician or will give them contact information for local oral surgeons.
Other major funders for the program include the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, which has provided a $144,589 grant, and grants from Delta Dental Foundation totaling $60,000.
The Mobile Dental Clinic partners with ECHO Clinic in Eureka Springs, Lifesource International in Fayetteville, Seven Hills Homeless Center in Fayetteville, Helping Hands, Bentonville, and The Manna Center in Siloam Springs, which are all nonprofit organizations that serve communities in need.
The need for the Mobile Dental Clinic is so great that they have received a vast number of applications. “At this time we have put a hold on taking new applications in order to care for the patients we currently are treating,” Gregory said.
Nancy Cozart, director of development and gift planning at Washington Regional Medical Foundation, said financial gifts in support of the work of the Mobile Dental Clinic are greatly appreciated.
“Gifts of all sizes are important and make a difference,” Cozart said.
How can readers help?
Donations to benefit the Mobile Dental Clinic can be made online at wregional.com (at the “Make a Gift” tab at top of the home page), by mail at Washington Regional Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, AR 72701 or by calling the foundation at 479-444-9888.