Mobile dentist program aims to reach kids in neighborhoods across the state

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One mobile dental program made a stop in Macon Tuesday, hoping to reach kids right in their own backyard before the start of the summer.

It isn’t that large in size, but if you hop on board…the crew will say it’s serving a big need.

“What sets us apart is many parents don’t have to take their kids to the dentist, the dentist comes to them,” Kenneth Murphy said.

He’s a driver and x-ray technician for Help a Child Smile.

It’s a mobile dentist program serving patients right in their own backyard.

He says cutting out hassle of scheduling an appointment with a traditional dentist’s office is what sets the program apart.

“What makes it easy, or unique, for this program is the fact that we can treat the kids at the school and mom and dad don’t have to concern themselves about getting to a dentist, Murphy said.

Around 18 RVs have been retrofitted to include everything that you’d see in a normal dentist’s office. Five technicians go on board each unit hoping to help hundreds of kids across the state.

The RVs stop in 80 counties across Georgia.

Dental assistant Shannon Hopkins says it’s an opportunity to reach a lot of kids.

“We do cavities, we can do nerve treatment, and crowns. We do some extractions, simple extractions, some of the stuff we have to refer out to the local dentist for them to do it,” Hopkins said.

On any given day, crews can see up to 60 kids.

“They make our working experience that much more pleasurable, when we’re able to treat kids and see that they walk out of here with a healthy smile,” Murphy said.

“It’s very rewarding being able to help them get out of being in pain, and getting them fixed up. So it’s nice being able to do that,” Hopkins said.

The program isn’t free, but they do work with several different insurance companies to make sure kids are squared away.

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