This past weekend I had a chance to walk through the Mobile Dental Clinic from Nineveh Ministries with my good friend and dental colleague, Dr. Corey Acree. I was very excited to see this project as it nears completion and we are very close to providing emergency dental care for the underserved in our community .
Over the past two years, from idea to completion, this has been a large project with many partners providing the finances and grunt labor to finish the van. As it stands, we only need materials and supplies to begin serving the public. The dollar amount equals $6,000.00, which will allow us to open the doors hopefully within the next month.
THE PLAN: During the winter months of December, January and February, the dental van will be open once/month with a limited number of patients. In order to work out the kinks of practicing dentistry in a confined space, Dr. Corey Acree and I will begin by working with our own staff in the van. This will allow us to determine what works and what needs to be adjusted for mobile dentistry. Beginning in the spring of 2013, the van will rotate weekly to four separate locations in Modesto. We will take the information we learned in the winter and train the other volunteer doctors and staff to deliver emergency dental care in a mobile clinic.
LOCATIONS:
Week 1 - Oregon Park
Week 2 - Robertson Road Park
Week 3 - Apostolic Assembly First Church
Week 4 - Fairview Park
THE NEED:
Finances: The final $6,000.00 is needed to complete the van. This will allow us to open the doors in December.
Staff: Drawing from local dentists and auxillary staff, we will need volunteers beginning in the Spring of 2013.
THE CHALLENGE:
Raising the final few dollars in the next month and the man power in the next few months to get this clinic underway. If you are interested in joining the effort, please let me know.
I am super excited to be part of this plan. Stay tuned for updates.
Keep on smiling,
Dr. Fletcher