A non-profit health organization based in Saginaw has purchased a new mobile dental bus to provide care to elementary school children and senior citizens.
A $200,000 grant from Delta Dental allowed the Great Lakes Bay Health Center to purchase a new unit with a wheelchair lift and three treatment chairs.
Monica Wood is the Communications Coordinator a the GLBHC.
She said the units travel around the Great Lakes bay region and primarily visits elementary schools and low income families in rural areas.
“Not only does it give good dental service to the kids, but it’s also great for the parents who don’t have to leave work to take their kids to the dentist.”
Wood said there’s a big need for on-the-road dental services in the bay region.
She said mouth care is often neglected in children.
“They probably wouldn't make it to a dentist period. Sometimes we see things that are not very enlightening, and it's just nice for us to have an opportunity to help the underserved, in fact anyone in the area who needs our help.”
The three dental units operate year-round. The most recent addition to the fleet will be unveiled at the YMCA in Saginaw June 6, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The public is invited to tour the bus and talk with the dentists.