Mary’s Center Mobile Dental Cruiser Will Serve Approximately 3,000 Children a year.
Landover, MD– Tooth decay is the single most common childhood disease nationwide, yet it is completely preventable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of all children and two-thirds of adolescents aged 12-19 years from lower-income families have had decay1.
To increase access to dental care for children in Prince George’s County, and promote early detection, education, prevention and treatment, Mary’s Center sponsored by the United Health Foundation today launched the Mary’s Center Mobile Dental Cruiser at G. James Gholson Middle School in Landover, MD.
The Dental Cruiser is a 38 ft mobile dental suite equipped with 3 fully operational dental chairs, 2 dental x-ray units, a self-contained sterilization area, and viewing multiple monitors for patient education. The cruiser will be staffed with a full time dentist, hygienist, and two dental assistants.
The Mary’s Center Dental Cruiser aligns with the Maryland State Oral Health Plan that was launched in 2011, and will seek to serve approximately 4,000 children in the first year. Starting on August 13th, the Mary’s Center Dental Cruiser will be treating patients at Charles Carroll Middle School. Then Nicholas Orem Middle School in Hyattsville. G. James Gholson Middle School in Kent, Thomas Jefferson Middle School will soon follow in consequent months.
“Thanks to United Health Foundation and the partnership with Prince George’s County, more parents in Prince George’s County will be able to enroll their children in dental care programs and learn about affordable dental insurance options in Maryland while Mary’s Center will continue to replicate its social change model to bring comprehensive care to County residents” said Dr. Richard Gesker, Chief Dental Officer at Mary’s Center.
To make an appointment for the Dental Cruiser, parents can call 301-422-5934.
