Dental bus rolls out next week, filling need for low
A bus that delivers mobile dental care will officially roll out in Elgin County next week, giving low-income families a chance to get cleanings and checkups for their kids.
When fully launched, the bus will mainly be used to treat seniors, but Southwestern Public Health is starting next week with services for kids who are covered by the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.
"This dental vehicle has everything right there. It's like a dental clinic on wheels. You don't have to bring portable equipment. We have Wi-Fi capability and we can take X-rays in the vehicle," said Kim Casier, the oral health public manager at Southwestern Public Health.
Later, seniors who have a dental card from the Ontario Seniors Dental Care program will be able to get dental care in the mobile unit. Only those who are 65 or older and make an annual income of $22,000 or less for a single senior — or $37,100 combined for a couple — are eligible for the program.
"There are still some transportation barriers for some clients," Casier said. "Many seniors rely on others to drive them to their appointments and, for some seniors, it's challenging to get to our fixed clinics in Saint Thomas or Woodstock "
The bus will go to the seniors who have mobility challenges, allowing them to get dental care without the fuss of going to a fixed clinic.
The bus is more flexible and less time consuming than setting up a more traditional pop-up clinic, Southwestern Public Health officials say.
Dates and times for the dental mobile vehicle:
Aug. 22
Aug. 23
The vehicle will share staff with Southwestern Public Health's on-site dental clinics and will be out offering services at least once a week, Casier said.
"We're hoping that we can provide the program all year long."
Before it can become a common fixture in the region, Southwestern Public Health still needs access to public buildings that have a large parking lot where they can park the vehicle and also access washroom facilities for clients and staff.
While they are currently in talks with some community partners, she said there's nothing set in stone yet.
Tuesday will be its first official outing into the community, but she said they've already had some practice runs with clients to make certain everything works properly.
Southwestern Public Health first ordered the vehicle in January 2022 and received it earlier this spring after it was outfitted with dental equipment in Ohio.
"We have done a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure that it's available and licensed to be on the road and to be operated. And we're hoping to get it out to various communities to provide some dental care," she said.
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Mike spent his early life in Northern Ontario and Quebec before making London his home. He is a graduate of Fanshawe's Broadcast Journalism program and lives in the city with his family and three cats.
Dates and times for the dental mobile vehicle:Aug. 224:30 p.m to 5:15 p.m.5:30 p.m to 6:15 p.m.6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.Aug. 234:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Get the news you need. Anytime, anywhere. Download the free CBC News App today