Deamonte Driver project unveils 1st mobile clinic

The Deamonte Driver Dental Project has launched its first mobile dental clinic, a 39-ft van designed and manufactured by ADI Mobile Health with equipment donated by Henry Schein.

The mobile clinic features three dental operatories, digital x-ray systems, internal and external flat-screen monitors, and a software management program for data collection and case management. The project has also received donations from the Community Foundation for Prince George's County, Oral Health America (Trident Fund), American Dental Association Foundation, Give Kids A Smile Fund, Sunstar Americas, DentaQuest Foundation, and the Prince George's County Chapter of Jack and Jill.

"This project honors the memory of Deamonte Driver and symbolizes the commitment of the National Dental Association to do all within our power to provide needed dental services to underserved populations and to raise public awareness to the need for quality, comprehensive dental care for all the citizens of our great country," said Walter Owens, president of the National Dental Association.

Cofounded by Hazel Harper and Belinda Carver-Taylor and launched in 2008, the Deamonte Driver Dental Project is part of a school-based community initiative to increase access to care for uninsured and underinsured children in Prince George's County in Maryland and surrounding communities. It is funded by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Named in memory of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old boy who died from a case of untreated tooth decay that resulted in a fatal brain infection, the project is administered by the Robert T. Freeman Dental Society Foundation, under the auspices of the National Dental Association.

In 2009, 43 community dentists donated 255 hours of service on a rented mobile dental unit. Information obtained from the 1,635 students at the nine target schools revealed that nearly 20% of the students required urgent care. They were referred to local dentists for immediate treatment.

Goals for the second year are to expand the scope of the project, increase the number of adopted schools to 15, use the new mobile clinic to implement school-based emergency, restorative, and preventive services for the children, and increase venues for community health education by increasing participation in community health fairs at schools, churches, and community centers.

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