New regional mobile dental clinic to start in August
Ada Jenkins Center, a non-profit organization in Davidson, NC, took delivery of its new mobile dental clinic last month. Already the vehicle is operating in the North Mecklenburg area, but soon other nearby groups will lease the vehicle.
Six partners are now lined up ready to operate the first mobile regional dental clinics. The first group is expected start using the clinic in August.
“Demand is there. People kept coming to us wanting our service. But we knew that it wasn’t feasible for us to provide care to all of Charlotte and the surrounding area. However, we could provide the facility, and teach other groups to deliver dental care to those in need.” said Ms. Melchor-McCall, the program coordinator.
Ada Jenkins’s previous community dental clinic was leased from the North Carolina Baptist Men’s Association. The new clinic will allow the organization to extend its reach. Twelve hundred patients are expected to be served in the first year of operation, but after five years that number should grow to 5,000.
LifeLine Mobile Inc., (www.lifelinemobile.com) a specialty mobile medical and dental vehicle manufacturer based in Ohio built the clinic.
“We did some research and LifeLine’s name kept coming up. We were so impressed when we looked at their mobile units. They are so much better than the dark, low-ceiling RV type. When you’re inside a LifeLine vehicle it’s just like being in a dental office,” said Ms. Melchor-McCall.
Two well-equipped operatories, including x-ray, are onboard the 40-foot-long dental clinic, with clean-up space in the center area.
“We have space built out ready to receive a panoramic x-ray machine, and we are now looking to get one donated or find one at low cost,” said Ms. Melchor-McCall. Ada Jenkins already owns a portable hygiene unit so the clinic can operate three operatories simultaneously.
Operating with just one paid driver-manager-dental assistant, the dental clinic is staffed by volunteer dentists.
Funding
Civic groups, churches, and small corporations fund ongoing operations in the primary service area, a four-town region outside of Charlotte. Low-income patients are charged a $10 fee to help offset operating expenses.
In addition to a number of donations from local groups and corporate sponsorships, two major grants from The Sisters of Mercy and The Women’s Impact Fund made the mobile clinic purchase possible.
While government provides dental assistance to children and the disabled, Medicare does not cover dental care for seniors, low-income adults, or immigrants. Ada Jenkins Center is dedicated to delivering affordable medical and dental care to low-income groups throughout the Lake Norman area of North Carolina.
For information about leasing the mobile dental clinic in Mecklenburg County and surrounding counties, contact: Julie Melchor-McCall, Coordinator, Community Dental Clinic, Ada Jenkins Center, julie.melchor@adajenkins.org.
cr @ June 19, 2006