"Share the Care" Nominee Spotlight: Enid

Enid's Health Planning Committee is a group that meets monthly to discuss the health and well-being of the Enid community, and helps identify areas the community is lacking services.

It ranges from fitness, mental health, medical, dental and many other projects looking to better the community. Many social service and health groups make this committee run and ensure it succeeds.

This committee brought MobileSmiles to Enid last April, and had a successful day treating 18 patients, thanks to several volunteer dental professionals in Enid and the organization of the health clinic hosting us, coordinated by a member of this committee. They are aware that there is a large population in Enid who needs to receive dental services, but are unable to do so at this time, and working for ways to bridge this gap.

Hear from the nominator:

Why do you think they should win this contest?

"For several years, this group has struggled with availability of dental services for the under served in the community. Efforts have been made to improve access to dental care for low-income individuals. The health department has a dentist for an hour or two each month, but the needs are much greater than that."

"We were able to serve 18 people last April, but the waiting list had more than 50 people on it, and more have been added since then."

"Share the Care" Contest Nominee Spotlight: Geary Schools

Geary is a town of about 1,200, located in Blaine County in western Oklahoma. It is a rural community with medical and dental services at minimum 15 - 30 miles away in each direction. The distance to and from a dental or health professional has forced the public school system look for ways health services can integrate into their schools and serve the population.

They currently have a strong partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Van program, which provides immunizations two times a year free of charge to students. The mobile unit has also visited these schools several times since it's creation, providing dental care to many students.

Read why a nominee all the way from OKC nominated them:

How do you think dental services would benefit this group?

"Time away from work, school, lost wages and transportation (are a barrier in receiving services). Dental services available on site will mean less time away from school for the children, as well as more attentive children throughout the school year."

Why do you think they should win this contest?

"With the school's organization, a high number of children are able to be seen quickly and as efficiently as possible. They have a reputation for strong advocacy for healthy lifestyle and participation in school based services are the reason they should win this competition."

Realities from the Road: Burns Flat (Washita County)

Site Partner: 

Burns Flat Church of Christ

May 31, 2013

Patient Stats:

• 35 patients pre-screened – total value of $1,293

• 10 patients treated at a value of $2,556

• Teeth extracted – 26

• Volunteers – Pre-screeners Julie Nabors, RDH and Kelly Pease, RDH both from Weatherford, RDH; Dr. Adam Cohlmia of OKC provided treatment

MobileSmiles visited Burns Flat church of Christ for the first time at the end of May. We were originally scheduled for two days, but had to cancel one due to lack of available volunteers. Thankfully, Dr. Adam Cohlmia was available the second day and volunteered his time with us. 

Here’s how he summed up the day:

Dr. Adam Cohlmia

“Patients seemed to be pretty underserved or completely underserved populations. I don’t know how important oral hygiene is or how important dental education is in that community. As far as the cities I’ve volunteered with in this program, it was definitely one in most need. Patients (including children) had decayed teeth below the gum and some to the nerve.”

However, the patients and people of Burns Flat made a lasting impression.

“These patients were some of the most thankful people I’ve seen on the mobile unit. They were very friendly to us.”

Dr. Cohlmia considers this group’s barrier to dental care to be financial. The patients were very low incomes – most household incomes for 4-5 people were less than $20,000 annually. Of the 10 patients seen that day, only one person had insurance. 

From the Mouths of Patients:

 “One little girl seemed terrified the whole time during her treatment, then when it was over, she thanked us and asked us to come over to her house to hang out afterwards! She ended up being really happy she got her tooth pulled and took a liking to us.”

Other Notes:

“Driving home was kinda fun. I was headed to Norman on Highway 152 and saw all the tornadoes form north of me and listened to it on the radio.” 

Thankfully, the mobile unit also made it home safety, albeit very late, but drove through El Reno after the tornado passed though. Our Community Coordinator Steve Hudson took this photo as he was headed east on I-40. Our thoughts and prayers are again with those who were affected by the largest tornado ever recorded. As you can see from this photo, destruction

"Share the Care" Nominee Spotlight: First Baptist Church in Lawton

First Baptist Church is a congregation that puts great emphasis on community outreach. They host various events throughout the year, but their biggest event is "Mission Lawton," held every June. MobileSmiles had the opportunity to provide services during this event last year and we were so surprised by the magnitude of the event!

While many local dentists provided dental treatment, the church also offered clothes, haircuts, car washes and a food pantry to the community free of charge. Last June was our largest day of patients treated with our program - 37 patients seen in ONE day! If First Baptist wins this contest, they would use the funds for the same event this year.

Read what a nominator had to say about them:

How do you think dental services would help this population?

"It will help out ministry fair reach out to our surrounding neighborhoods by providing much needed dental care."

Why do you think they should win this contest?

"The event will probably set a record for number of patients treated in the shortest number of hours!"

"Share the Care" Contest Nominee Spotlight: Prairie Elementary

Prairie Elementary is our next nominee for the "Share the Care" contest. They are located in Guymon, the heart of the Oklahoma Panhandle. Our program has previously visited Guymon and this elementary school, but read below why those close to it think it deserves another day of care:

How do you think these service would benefit the organization?

"This school serves many low-income families. I have seen many children with teeth problems come through our school and their family not have the income to go to a dentist and fix their child's teeth."

"The closet SoonerCare provider is two hours one way, so it is hard on children and parents. Missing school an work is not an optimal situation."

Why do you think they should win this contest?

"This will be the only way most of our students will get their teeth cleaned or looked at." 

"To think that someone would come from OKC to help with the enormous oral health care need of the rural area made an impact on the staff and families of the children treated. The principals are dedicated to this program and know the value...seeing their students relieved of pain and functioning to their full capacity in the classroom again makes the staff very grateful." 

"Share the Care" Contest Nominee Spotlight: Broken Arrow Neighbors

Broken Arrow Neighbors (BAN) is an interfaith organization providing basic needs emergency assistance to over 11,000 financially disadvantaged people in the Broken Arrow area. Many of these clients require multiple visits and services to maintain or help regain self-sufficiency.

They offer programs like a food pantry, financial assistance, medical clinic, legal aid and clothing services to those in Broken Arrow. They believe that people of all faiths should work together to meet the needs of the working poor and elderly.

MobileSmiles recently spent it's first stay with Broken Arrow Neighbors in April. We had a wonderful experience working with their staff and meeting their clients to assess their dental needs and get them out of pain. We were told by their staff that this is one of the biggest requests by their clients and they are constantly looking for ways to alleviate dental pain and prevent future dental problems for their clients.

Here's what the nominees said about BAN:

How do think these services would benefit the organization?

"Broken Arrow Neighbors does so much for the community and strive to help meet the needs of individuals that have limited resources. Many of the patients that would benefit from the MobileSmiles van have not had dental care in a very long time. BAN is dedicated to establishing on on-site dental clinic and hopes to complement those services with MobileSmiles visits."

Why do you think they should win this contest?

"Broken Arrow Neighbors is always exploring new opportuntiies to better serve those individuals seeking their assistance. BAN always place a priority on "going the extra mile" and it would be great to help them meet their mission."

"Share the Care" Contest Nominee Spotlight: MHAT

The Mental Health Association of Tulsa was established 57 years ago to provide support to those who are affected by mental illness. They do this through housing services for mentally ill and their families, offer them employment opportunities and help them maintain job skills.

MobileSmiles has had the opportunity to visit several MHAT housing facilities over the past two years, providing life-changing dental treatment for those living on the streets. Some unable to find jobs do to the condition of their mouths, some living in pain and not able to fully function. With our help, they were able to live pain-free and now they are on their way to making themselves whole again.


Here's what the nominees had to say about MHAT:

"Why do you think this organization should win this contest?"

"The Mental Health Association of Tulsa puts a hand out to all in need. These services would give them the ability to serve and help those in need just that much further."

"First, the need. Second, the love and care that the Association shows. Third, the organization and level-handed, practical way that the Association goes about its service. They are caring, qualified and credentialed."

"Dental problems affect health and mental wellness."

Our Great Partnership with the ODF

By Melissa Reese, RDH

Dental Support Manager for the Oklahoma City Area Inter-Tribal Health Board

Great partnerships are amazing.  They provide a sense of satisfaction similar to the feeling women experience following a victorious day of shoe shopping (not that the men reading this article will appreciate that analogy).  During the past two years I have been blessed with the opportunity to partner with the Oklahoma Dental Foundation to help address an issue that is both near and dear to my heart.  The Oklahoma City Area Inter-Tribal Health Board (OCAITHB) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to unite the Tribes within the Oklahoma City service area (OCA) to improve the health and quality of life of Native American communities through advocacy and education with federal, state and local entities, while maintaining Tribal sovereign rights.  Currently, we have greater than 335,000 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people in our service area, which consists of the 43 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma and portions of Kansas and Texas. 

Many people are unaware that AI/AN children experience Early Childhood Caries rates that are 400 times higher than any other U.S. race.  33% of AI/AN preschool children living within the OCA have tooth decay experience, 26% have untreated decay, 7% have urgent treatment needs, and 9% of children have decay by 1 year of age.  A large portion of our patients live in areas with low or no access to oral health care services, making the partnership between the ODF and OCAITHB critical to our mission.  I’m happy to report that since 2011, our joint efforts have provided 252 OCA AI/AN children access to mobile dental services through various Head Start, Tribal day care, and other school-based programs.  1,192 preventive and therapeutic procedures have been provided at an estimated $61,902.

On a personal note, I have to say that some of my favorite days are ones in which they need an extra set of hands on the van.  I’m a Registered Dental Hygienist by trade, but now work in a primarily administrative position.  Volunteering gives me the opportunity to get back in touch with my clinical roots, and is truly a “win-win” situation: the kids win because they receive oral health care, and I win because it is a gratifying experience.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer on the mobile dental van, I challenge you to give it a try, but be careful … giving someone a smile is contagious.  I am truly grateful for the partnership between the OCAITHB and the Oklahoma Dental Foundation, and I’m excited about future collaborative efforts. 

On a final note, I would like to thank the wonderful staff at the ODF and say, here’s to great partnerships!

ODF In the News

Friday, October 19 was an exciting day for our program. KFOR-TV's Lance West paid us a visit while we were at the Baptist Mission in Oklahoma City treating low-income adults. This segment aired twice that evening, and we could have asked for a better platform for our program! Lance tells the story of so many Oklahomans who are in need of care, even in metro areas, but cannot access it. In this instance, the barrier to oral health care is finances. We are so pleased we make a trip to the Baptist Mission again and help their clients improve their chance for job prospects and better, brighter futures.

We are also so grateful to our dental professional staff and volunteers who see this program and an important means to end suffering in our state. This particular day Drs. Eric Touet (Oklahoma City) and Phoebe Brown (Edmond) were able to improve the quality of life to so many. To put it simply, the visit wouldn't be possible without them, or any of our volunteers!

Because the segment aired during the evening news, our office was bombarded with phone calls and emails asking for appointments or when the mobile unit would be near them. Clearly, there is still a great need, and we are always seeking new sites to visit. If you know of a new one we should check out let us know!

We hope you'll take a minute to watch this video and share our program with those you know who may need help, or those who may be interested in volunteering their time with our program.

ODF & OUCOD impact OKC Mid-High School

What does a community engaged in overall health look like? This is the question Douglass Mid-High School in Oklahoma City asked when it brought together like-minded health groups for a meeting last spring. Among those groups were the Oklahoma Dental Foundation, and the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry’s Community Dentistry department. The school’s principal, Dr. Brian Staples, with the assistance of Sandridge Energy, wanted to develop an in-school health center to create better habits for students. Staples attributes a majority of student absences to preventable health conditions, including tooth aches and abscessed caused by severe cavities. Missed class periods for this school, a primarily low-income, African American population means missed opportunities for a better, brighter future. 

July 27, 2012 began the first step of implementing this partnership and impacting the oral health of Douglass. Several volunteers and students from the OUCOD provided dental screenings during a back to school lock-in. The screening would let parents know any problems areas the child might have, and well as, tips for brushing and flossing. About 30 screenings were done that night with the permission of parents in attendance.

The next step came on October 12, 2012 – a day of screenings for more than 150 students. Much preparation went into finding volunteer dental students, implementing a strategy as to see as many students as quickly as possible while engaging them in taking ownership of their oral health. While we had high hopes in preparation, middle and high school aged kids have a way of taking your plan and throwing it by the wayside. By 9:30 a.m. that morning, the first group of kids had come through. As anticipated, many were not interested in volunteering to be screened. The OUCOD group quickly regrouped and found a different plan of attack. Every student would receive a screening by a fourth year student, then brushing and flossing instructions would be given by first and second year dental students. When the second round of Douglass students came through, tensions eased and the screenings ran smoother. Once students were screened, their forms were generated into two piles: referrals to the mobile dental unit for further treatment, and those who didn’t need treatment. Of the 151 screenings completed that day,  83 students were referred for further dental treatment and given paperwork for their parents to authorize treatment on the Oklahoma Dental Foundation’s mobile dental unit October 29 through 31.

Sydney Sevier, senior program assistant in the OUCOD’s Community Dentistry department described the experience as eye opening and a good perspective for the dental students to have. “I think this really sparked an extra passion. They spread the word for their friends to get involved because of what a good experience they had,” Sevier said. “I think this made them realize how bad the problem is in the community.” The Community Dentistry’s overall goal is to increase the number of graduating dental students who go into community dentistry across the state.

Second year dental student Sneha Patel was shocked to hear from a middle school student receiving a screening who did not know what a cavity was. “He seemed very worried about his mouth, but didn't know how to take care of it,” Patel said. She explained to the student that the cavity was treatable and how to prevent them in the future.

Our next challenge will come October 29 when the ODF mobile dental unit and OU students return to Douglass for dental treatment. As always, parents need to authorize the proper paperwork for minors to receive dental care. We hope parents who have seen their child’s screening form take a few minutes to save their children pain and suffering over a toothache, and their pocketbooks from a trip to the emergency room.

Hot off the Presses!

It's been eight days now since we treated our 10,000th patient through the mobile dental program, and we were thrilled so many news outlets in the Oklahoma City Metro were interested in covering our milestone!

Reporters from KOCO, KFOR, KWTV, Telemundo and Journal Record were all in attendance and did a great job in capturing our program and the day's special occasion. Below are a few of the published articles.

Article from The Journal Record - Published September 7

Mobile dental unit serves 10,000th patient

By Sarah Terry-Cobo

OKLAHOMA CITY – Dafne Soto had molars extracted in the parking lot of the Latino Community Development Agency on Thursday. The 8-year-old was the 10,000th patient seen in the Oklahoma Dental Foundation’s mobile unit,  a converted recreational vehicle.

Bernice Saldana, Soto’s mother, had noticed her daughter’s cavities, but said she didn’t have dental insurance to cover the necessary treatment.

“This is a great help for us,” Saldana said in Spanish.

Saldanda’s 4-year-old son, Ricardo, was also treated at the mobile clinic on Thursday.

The Soto children are among thousands of people living in the metro area who aren’t covered by dental insurance.

Saldana said she is glad she can bring her children to get free dental care, saving her family hundreds of dollars. Even though there are 449 dentists licensed to work in Oklahoma City and 664 licensed to work in Oklahoma County, John Gladden, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma, said many residents lack access to dental care, not just those who live in rural areas.

“It wouldn’t matter if there was a dentist on every corner,” he said. “If parents don’t take their children, they won’t go.”

Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has donated about $250,000 for the creation of the mobile dental unit, which has been in operation since 2006.

John Wilguess, executive director of the Oklahoma Dental Foundation, said that the majority of their patients have low incomes. In 2011, nearly a third of patients had a household income of $10,000 or less and about 70 percent had a household income of less than $20,000. Only 35 percent of the patients said they qualified for Medicaid, Wilguess said.

The need for the mobile dental unit is so great in the state that the Oklahoma Dental Foundation’s board has approved the purchase od a new unit tha tiwll be custom-built. Having a second unit that can travel from town to town will allow the original unit to stay in one place for several days, Wilguess said. That will allow dentists to perform follow-up visits on their patients, which are often necessary, he said. 

Article from Edmond Life & Leisure - Published September 13

Dentist from Edmomd part of Milestone

Helping the 10,000th patient

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Dental Foundation Mobile Dental Unit has provided free dental care to more than 10,000 patients as of Sept. 6. Dafne Soto, 8, of Oklahoma City was the honored 10,000th patient served on the mobile unit as it made a stop at the Latino Community Development Agency. Soto was one of eight children and youth who had an appointment for needed dental care Thursday.

The mobile dental unit travels across the state each year as part of ODF’s Mobile Dental Care Program.

“She didn’t know she was going to be the 10,000th patient,” said Berenice Saldana, Soto’s mother. “It was a surprise, but she’s happy. She enjoyed it.”

Saldana said her daughter needed care for cavities that were causing her back teeth to crumble, but Saldana is a single mother of three children and does not have insurance.

“It is very beneficial for my family to be able to come here and receive free care on the mobile dental unit,” Saldana said.

 The Oklahoma Dental Foundation began the mobile dental care program in 2006 using volunteer dentists. Since that time, Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation has supported the program with nearly $1 million in grants. Part of that funding has allowed the program to double its reach by paying for contract dentists to go to rural areas where access to care is especially low and to provide services during weekdays when volunteers are unavailable.

 “When I first began treating dental patients on the mobile unit, I thought the cost of dental care was the only barrier,” said Jeannie Bath, the dentist on site Sept. 6. “But driving out to a rural site, I think of our patients driving those same long, lonely Oklahoma roads back toward town for their needed dental care. 

“Having the ability to address urgent and potential emergency infections on the mobile dental unit, allows us to prevent patients without a dentist from seeking temporary relief for that infection in the ER.”

The Office Invades the Mobile Dental Unit!

August 1 - 3 I had the opportunity to be on the mobile dental unit as it traveled to Owasso, Tulsa and Perkins where community leaders and organizations took time out of their schedules to help those in desperate need of dental care and no resources to receive it. Typically, my work is done behind a desk, so I was a bit out of my comfort zone as I entered the trenches of our mobile dental unit - processing x-rays and entering patients into our Dentrix system - while our Community Coordinator, Steve, was on vacation.

In Owasso, we participated in the New Heights Church "Back to School" day - a day where the church and it's wonderful volunteers give school supplies, clothes and shoes, hair cuts, eye and medical exams to those in the community with children in need. The Mobile Dental Unit was able to provide free dental services to nine children that had been pre-screened by a dental hygienist who happened to be a member of the church earlier, and a patient list was built from there. When we went to park the Unit at the church just after 8 a.m., I was so surprised at how many people were already there! Lines were out the building, parking lots were so full they were forced to park across the street - this was apparently a service the community was looking forward to. Thanks very much to Pastor John-David at New Heights Church for letting us be apart of the "Back to School" day once again, and we are scheduled to go there again next year on July 31. Our volunteers, Dr. Mark Argo and his assistant Christy, along with contract dentist Dr. William Gray and Peggy, ODF staff assistant, we donated almost $4,000 in dentistry and sent the children back to school with healthy smiles!

Dr. Mark Argo, Cathrine, and Christy. 

Cathrine had a broken front tooth and Dr. Argo used resin to give the tooth the appearance of being whole.

August 2, we were at another familiar location with the Mental Health Association of Tulsa at their Denver House site. MHAT has 17 location across Tulsa which provide homeless and mentally ill people a place to sleep, take classes or beat the heat. On that particular day, the temperature topped at 113 degrees - and man was it hot - inside the mobile dental unit and out! MHAT offers wonderful resources to those who need a place to stay cool in the summer and need a place to get back on their feet. We saw eight patients who were all adults and did $2,474.41 in donated dental care, which ranged from extractions to fillings and cleanings. Since we started working with MHAT in 2011, we have enjoyed our partnership immensely and always look forward to visiting their locations. Connally Perry, Administrator of Permanent Supported & Transitional Housing for MHAT, said even with services with the Mobile Dental Unit, accessing dental treatment is still one of the hardest to find services for their community.

We spent August 3 in Perkins with the Iowa Tribe Clinic - a partnership made possible by the Oklahoma City Inter Tribal Health Board. Thankfully, the temperatures were a little nicer to us that day and there were some clouds! On the way over a few sprinkles hit the windshield! Overall, the day ran very smoothly thanks to the on-site coordinator, Andrea, and her prep-work! We saw seven patients - children and adults - and did $1,863.86 in donated treatment.

Saturday, August 4, we were in Drumright working with Drumright Dental Center and their community-wide free dental day. Steve, the Community Coordinator and typical mobile unit driver, joined the group after being on a well-deserved vacation earlier that week. So, I headed back home while Steve took over.

As I'm sure many of you heard, outstretched wildfires affected that portion of Oklahoma (east and south of Stillwater) over the weekend. Luckily, the mobile unit was not in an evacuation area, so seven patients received  $6,009.23 in donated treatment inside the mobile dental unit along (the office opened up several of it's chairs to provide free services as well). However, we were able to see smoke, and on the way home were re-routed on the highways due to the grass fires.

Life on the mobile unit is never dull, so sometimes I look forward to being in the office after I come in from the road. That being said, this time things went very smooth, and I was able to interact with patients and their families to understand how much of a impact we make not only in people's mouths, but their overall health and lives. Being in the trenches where the care is provided and seeing smiles all around is such a wonderful feeling and gives a face to the work I do behind my desk everyday.

Susan Hoover
Program Relations Manager
shoover@okdf.org