Volunteer dentists needed to help uninsured kids

By Jessie Kirk

The Beaverton Valley Times, Feb 14, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Scores of uninsured kids in need of dental care?

Check.

Mobile offices filled with state-of-the-art dental equipment?

Check.

Now all Medical Teams International needs is dentists.

Thousands of children without dental insurance are served each year through Medical Teams International’s mobile dental clinic program, but many more could be served if the organization increased its supply of volunteers, said Barbara Agnew, a spokeswoman for the non-profit humanitarian aid organization with offices in Tigard.

“We have 10 vans and they’re in 39 counties,” she said. “In nearly every single county, we have more requests to have our clinic at schools, social services agencies, etc. We have open days, but just don’t have the dentists to staff the clinic on those dates.”

The full-service dental clinics regularly visit a handful of schools in Beaverton – their most regular stop is at Vose Elementary School. Once a month children suffering from cavities, abscesses, infections and other issues board the 38-foot converted motor home to have their turn in the dental chair.

Van Manager Krista Handy keeps the kids preoccupied from the sometimes painful drilling and scraping with coloring books, toys and a little hand holding. Despite the discomfort, she said most students welcome the care.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit