Although oral health care is an important aspect in everyone’s life, some families don’t have the access or finances to afford traditional dental services. For families in the Elma region struggling with getting adequate oral care; a remedy is on the horizon.

Starting Tuesday, April 26, the SmileMobile will be providing dental care to the rural and underserved communities within Elma. The dental team will care for individuals ranging from babies up through high-school age youth, pregnant/postpartum women, and adult family members who are either uninsured or insured through Apple Health (Medicaid).

Karri Amundson, the senior program officer, works directly with patients looking to schedule appointments, as well as local health consortiums to provide familes with dental care ranging from examinations, flouride varish, selants and simple extractions. Due to COVID-19 concerns at this time, the SmileMobile will not providing normal cleanings to any patients as they have done in the past.

“There is a huge need for access to dental care for individuals and families with Apple Health and uninsured,” Amundson said via phone.” We’re getting a lot of adults looking for help and we don’t want to turn anybody away from recieving care.”

Amundson also explained that the goal is provide people with a trustworthy oral health care team that will take care of their immediate and emergent dental needs while referring them to local providers, DentistLink and ABCD program for ongoing dental care.

The SmileMobile, which treats an average of 60 people each week, as well as seeing more than 1,300 patients in 2021, is a partnership of Arcora Foundation, Dental Dental of Washington and the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

For those who are interested in the services of the SmileMobile, you can find the dental bus parked at the Elma Elementary School on 1235 Monte Elma Road from April 26 through April 29 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. To schedule an appointment you can call (888) 286-9105.