MHS Mobile Dental proposes partnerships to provide preventive dental care to underserved students
Published 13:07 Friday, October 13, 2023
- Mike Murphy (Left) and Chris Martin presented to the school board about MHS Mobile Dental.
At the last Picayune School District Board meeting held Wednesday, representatives from MHS Mobile Dental presented a proposal to partner with the school district. The goal is to extend essential preventive dental care to children who lack access to or adequate insurance coverage for regular checkups.
Chris Martin, Director of Operations and Mike Murphy, Executive Director, led the presentation on behalf of MHS Mobile Dental. The organization promotes oral health excellence and provides preventive dental care to patients in non-traditional settings, using mobile and portable equipment.
Services offered by MHS Mobile Dental include exams, sealants, digital X-rays, teeth cleanings, fluoride applications and referrals to a dental home, providing comprehensive care for children.
MHS Mobile Dental partners with state-licensed dentists to provide safe, high-quality preventive oral health care to Mississippi’s underprivileged children. Many of these dentists also work at other dental clinics across the state, demonstrating their dedication to improving dental access for those in need.
Serving approximately 15,000 children annually, MHS Mobile Dental aims to bridge the dental care gap without competing with local dentistry. They prioritize serving underprivileged communities and operate at no cost to schools and families. Local dentists also support the initiative by acting as referral partners.
“Our mission is to improve dental access for those in need, especially among underprivileged children. We pride ourselves on making dental care convenient and accessible,” said Chris Martin, Director of Operations. In addition, MHS Mobile Dental contributes to the cause by donating essential dental supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss through K-12 programs, furthering their commitment to dental education.
They transform classrooms into fully functional dental offices and organize small groups of five people, simplifying the process of providing dental care. Operating for 14 years, MHS Mobile Dental sees approximately 20-25% of the student population. They provided $785,000 worth of in-kind (free) services provided to the uninsured in 2022.
The MHS Mobile Dental proposal aims to create a partnership with the Picayune School District to raise the standards of oral health among Mississippi’s youth, focusing on preventive dental care and ensuring that every child receives the dental attention they deserve. .
