In the 2000 report "Missing the Mark, Oral Health in America", the three critical areas examined were prevention, access to care, and health status. The state of Georgia received an overall grade of C with a C minus in access to care. Inadequate access to dental care is a major problem for Georgia’s low-income children. The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Dental Services has reached out to the community through a mobile clinic in a number of innovative ways in an attempt to reach those children who, for numerous reasons, are not served by existing dental health facilities. The major aspect of this outreach was to develop partnerships with established community programs and organizations which allowed the identification of non-traditional locations. Monthly sites served by the mobile clinic include several Headstart centers, a pediatric residential medical care facility, and a shelter for battered women and their children. An agreement has been made to partner with a community medical center, which does not presently have a dental component, to serve their clients on-site. In the summer months the team examines and educates patients in conjunction with the Fulton County Department of Parks and Recreation summer camps. Our experience in using mobile units has taught us a variety of ways to reach, assist and retain the underserved pediatric dental population.
Learning Objectives: Identify innovative sites for the use of dental mobile units in communities.
Keywords: Access, Oral Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.