The Molar Express
The Ronald McDonald House Charities Care Mobile, known as the Molar Express, is traveling to twenty cities and towns in Rhode Island bringing these important dental services to children:
• Cleanings
• Sealants
• Fluoride treatments
• Fillings
• X-rays
• Oral health education
all at no charge!
Good oral health practices should start in the earliest years of life. Yet in Rhode Island, accessing care for prevention and treatment has been very difficult for many families. For the uninsured, going to the dentist is often unaffordable and there aren't enough dentists who accept children covered by RIte Care.
The Molar Express is a 40-foot long, fully equipped dental office that travels to schools, Head Start programs and other sites in towns with large populations of children who do not have access to affordable dental care. A registered dental hygienist and board-certified dentist are onboard the Molar Express and provide treatment and oral health education.
• Children are first screened and assessed through a community-based SMILES program in their school or other site.
• Treatment is scheduled for a day when the Molar Express is at the child’s school, so parents don’t have to worry about taking time off from work.
• Some children may be referred to specialists for additional services.
• Follow-up visits are available on the Molar Express or at community health center dental offices.
By coordinating care from first screening to follow-up, children at last have a “dental home,” where they can return regularly for check-ups and treatment. There are no charges for services on the Molar Express for either insured or uninsured children. When there is insurance, Medicaid, RIte Care and other insurance programs are billed.
Children who attend a participating school or program receive an informational packet and forms for parents to complete. The Molar Express is shared equally by three sponsoring health and human service agencies. It makes scheduled day-long stops in these towns:
Thundermist Health Center
West Warwick, Woonsocket, South County
Follow-up dental services available at Health Center Dental Offices in West Warwick, Woonsocket, Wakefield
(Thundermist treated children at the Molar Express in West Warwick during the month of November 2006 and in Woonsocket in February 2007. Thundermist will have the Molar Express at various sites in West Warwick and South County in May.)
Comprehensive Community Action Program
Cranston, Warwick, North Providence, and Johnston
Follow-up dental services available at Health Center Dental Offices in Cranston and Warwick
East Bay Community Action
Bristol, East Providence, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Warren, Portsmouth
Follow-up dental services available at Health Center Dental Offices in Newport
Call 1-866-MOLAR XP (1-866-665-2797) for more information or visit www.molarexpress.org.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities Care Mobile, Molar Express, was donated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern New England.
“There is lot of talk about community-oriented primary care. At Thundermist, we focus on the complex needs of our patients and our communities and provide a comprehensive array of services to meet those needs.”