Taking oral healthcare on the road

Regular visits to a dentist are so important to maintain your oral health. But there are two groups of people who need that care the most and are too often underserved: our children and our senior citizens.

Far too many of our children develop oral health problems that don't get the attention they need. Sometimes that's because our kids don't do the best job of letting us know they need help, and sometimes it's just the unfortunate reality that many of us just can't spend a lot of time or money at a dental office. The dental pain our kids experience can affect how well they eat and even have an impact on their ability to focus in school. Our seniors, especially those who are no longer able to live independently, also live on the margins of access to regular dental care.

That's why GraceMed sends its Dental Outreach Team (DOT) out to schools and senior living centers throughout southcentral and northeastern Kansas. Our team of hygienists bring the care where it is needed most, providing cleanings and screenings as well as instruction in good dental hygiene for the kids especially, so they can establish the habits that will protect their oral health throughout their lives. In some school districts, we have dentists available who can do fillings and extractions.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18 and you would like your child to receive DOT services during our visit to your school, we will need you to complete a consent form before we arrive at your school.

For more information or to arrange a DOT visit to your school, Head Start program or senior center, please contact:

Doreen Eyler, RDH-ECP III
Dental Hygiene Supervisor