Article
Geisinger’s New Mobile Health Unit Delivers Dental Care On-the-Go
New mobile dental health unit provides dental exams and preventive services at no cost.
DANVILLE, Pa. – Although largely preventable, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the United States and are twice as likely in children from low-income families.
However, many children have not seen their dentists due to the coronavirus disease 2019. With its new mobile dental services unit, Geisinger has taken dental care on the road to deliver no-cost dental exams and preventive services to children in pre-K through grade 12 throughout its service area.
The 38-foot-long bus is outfitted with two fully equipped dental operatories to provide a full spectrum of preventive and diagnostic services at no cost, such as dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as home care education and nutritional counseling.
“Some of the most common barriers to proper dental health are transportation, access to care and financial barriers,” said Kristen Schintz, DMD, medical director for dental services at Geisinger Health Plan. “We hope to alleviate those barriers by going into underserved areas and developing relationships with schools so that patients can be seen during their school day.”
