Wayne County Board of Health discusses mobile dental unit
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 20, 2015 3:05 AM
The Wayne County Board of Health received an update on the mobile dental van serving students around the county during its recent December meeting, re-elected its current leadership and bid adieu to long-time board member Tommy Gibson.
The 50-foot tractor-trailer, which bears the colorful kid-friendly logo "Miles of Smiles," is currently at its fifth school site since it hit the roads nearly a year ago, said Dr. Tera Harrison, dentist at the Health Department since 2013.
The purchase and upfitting process was made possible through a $170,000 allocation from the county.
The target population for the mobile dental clinic was to serve students who don't have a dental home, Dr. Harrison said.
"The first appointment is where we do the exam, the x-rays, cleaning, the fluoride," she told the board. "After that, if they need any other work that's when we start on (it)."
The services -- which also include extracts, sealants and fillings -- are funded in part through grants, with student eligibility based on income.
School sites were chosen based on population and need, catering to those without insurance, the dentist said. So far, it has served Brogden Primary, Carver Heights, Northeast, Carver and North Drive elementary schools.
Letters are sent home to parents prior to the van's arrival, to elicit information and permission for students to take advantage of the service. After the initial visit, another letter is sent home if more treatment is needed.
"We do offer incentives -- goody bags, with toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, stickers," Dr. Harrison said. "But our claim to fame is the treasure chest. If they don't have any cavities they get inducted into the 'No Cavities Club.' If they do (have cavities) we use it as an opportunity to educate them."
One challenge in the program has been response from parents.
Board Chairman Bob Cagle suggested the possibility of some sort of advertising campaign or method by which to better prepare parents for the van's arrival.
Board member Dr. Kim Larson asked if a schedule is made out in advance.
Dr. Harrison said officials are still "working out the kinks" but that is the ultimate goal.
The unpredictability of responses has been a glitch the department hopes to resolve, said Health Director Davin Madden.
"That's been a little hit and miss," he said. "But we have got a lot of new data based on the last school cycle."
Ms. Larson suggested purchasing a sign, a small expense, that could alert parents dropping off students that the clinic is on campus.
Madden said he felt confident that the awareness, and advance notification, had been effective but it can be improved upon.
"What we're seeing right now is a success model," he said. "Brogden (had) over 80, 100 (student responses). It was massive.
"Another one we were anticipating 100 and we got back 30 (forms). We're still trying to understand how we can infiltrate and build that trust factor."
Madden said he remains positive and optimistic about the program's effective in providing dental care for the youngest segment of the population. The two most recent sites, Carver in Mount Olive and North Drive have been especially promising, he said.
"We're getting there. We're in a good place," he said. "We still have some issues to overcome but that's normal."
"This is something that excited us when it started. It's still exciting," said Cagle.
When it came time to determine next year's board leadership, board member Anthony Woolet said the nominating committee had spoken with both Cagle and the current vice chairman, Osbone Wilder, who agreed to continue in the roles. Both were approved by a vote.
Gibson was also awarded a plaque for his 10 1/2 years of service as the board's pharmacist member.
"He filled an unexpired term and then three terms of his own," Cagle said. "But in addition to that, he has been the mayor of Goldsboro and untold other things."
"I don't think people really understand what it is to give so much time to the community in such an important capacity," Madden said.
Gibson, 77, said he had been blessed by the experience, praising those who had served alongside him through the years -- "not a weak link in the crowd."
Stepping into the role in January will be Rick Sessions, a pharmacist at O'Berry.