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Miles of Smiles Mobile Clinic up and running
By Jennifer Nichols
NT Staff Writer
SOUTHWEST IOWA - It was a little over two weeks ago when the first patients were seen as part of the Miles of Smiles (MOS) Mobile Dental Clinic. Officials with clinic explain MOS brings basic dental care to nursing home residents in southwest Iowa through a mobile or portable dental clinic. Two residents received care in the clinic on July 26, which is staffed by Dr. Carrol Trewet, Tami Trewet and Cyd Linderman.
According to information from Dan March, Executive Director of Wesley Heritage House, staff members working for the clinic will start out working with residents of Wesley Heritage House for the first month “to get acquainted with the equipment and processes of the new program before they take the show on the road to the other neighboring facilities in the area with whom the clinic has contracts.” Agreements have been made with officials at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center, as well as with officials in facilities in Griswold, Anita and Audubon. Staff members will start out working a few half days per week, and eventually get up to the two and one half days per week. They estimate they could see three patients on a half day of work, and six patients on a full day of work.
March said MOS organizers received a $4,000 Cass County Endowment grant for a used mini-van to help transport the dental equipment around when they go to another facility, but they are looking for additional donations and/or grants they can apply for to purchase the van.
March said the MOS Clinic is helpful because good dental health can lead to good overall health.
“The ability to bring state of the art oral health services to nursing home resident has the potential to bring great improvements to the overall health and welfare of frail residents,” March said in information about the program. “When we can control the bacteria in a person’s mouth, we can reduce the risk of other major health threats, such as heart disease, pulmonary (lung) problems, Diabetes Mellitus, weight loss, skin breakdown and pain. When you stop and think about the impact, it’s huge!”
According to information from Dan March, Executive Director of Wesley Heritage House, staff members working for the clinic will start out working with residents of Wesley Heritage House for the first month “to get acquainted with the equipment and processes of the new program before they take the show on the road to the other neighboring facilities in the area with whom the clinic has contracts.” Agreements have been made with officials at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center, as well as with officials in facilities in Griswold, Anita and Audubon. Staff members will start out working a few half days per week, and eventually get up to the two and one half days per week. They estimate they could see three patients on a half day of work, and six patients on a full day of work.
March said MOS organizers received a $4,000 Cass County Endowment grant for a used mini-van to help transport the dental equipment around when they go to another facility, but they are looking for additional donations and/or grants they can apply for to purchase the van.
March said the MOS Clinic is helpful because good dental health can lead to good overall health.
“The ability to bring state of the art oral health services to nursing home resident has the potential to bring great improvements to the overall health and welfare of frail residents,” March said in information about the program. “When we can control the bacteria in a person’s mouth, we can reduce the risk of other major health threats, such as heart disease, pulmonary (lung) problems, Diabetes Mellitus, weight loss, skin breakdown and pain. When you stop and think about the impact, it’s huge!”
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