Traveling dental office provides free services to children

Would three trips to the dentist over three days put a smile on your face?

For the answer, you could ask Ulises Rojas, 13, who underwent $1,700 worth of dental work over a three-day period last week.

He was one of 93 students at North Gresham Grade School who were screened by dentists with the Tooth Taxi.

The Tooth Taxi was created in 2008 to provide free dental care to uninsured and underserved students throughout Oregon. It's a traveling 38-foot dental office.

Since its creation, 5,201 children have been treated and 11,295 have been educated about oral hygiene.

The taxi stays at each of its destinations for up to a week, doing everything from cleanings to fillings. It's funded through grants and donations.

"It's incredible," said Julie Conroy, coordinator for a migrant summer school program held at North Gresham Grade School. She explained that many of her students have never seen a dentist.

Mary Daly, program manager of the Tooth Taxi, added that many of the children they see need quite a bit of work.

The Tooth Taxi is funded by a partnership with the charitable arm of the Oregon Dental Association and other organizations dedicated to children's oral health as well as donations.

For more information, call 503-329-8877 or visit smileonoregon.org.