Smiles on wheels

By: health enews Staff
Each month, the Dental Van teams with the Night Ministry, serving some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods.Each month, the Dental Van teams with the Night Ministry, serving some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods. Vidalia Ruiz takes a look at Dr. Ashley Orth’s dental handiwork.Vidalia Ruiz takes a look at Dr. Ashley Orth’s dental handiwork.Dr. Ann Marie Maggio, attending dentist, checks resident Dr. Ashley Orth’s patient.Dr. Ann Marie Maggio, attending dentist, checks resident Dr. Ashley Orth’s patient. Just one of 11 teeth pulled from a total of 11 patients during the course of the evening.Just one of 11 teeth pulled from a total of 11 patients during the course of the evening.Dr. Ashley Orth, dental resident, and Nohora Hernandez, dental assistant examine Jose Rodriguez, Jr.Dr. Ashley Orth, dental resident, and Nohora Hernandez, dental assistant examine Jose Rodriguez, Jr.Dr. Ann Marie Maggio, attending dentist, takes a look at a patient’s X-ray.Dr. Ann Marie Maggio, attending dentist, takes a look at a patient’s X-ray.Jose Rodriguez, Jr. gets a tooth removed.Jose Rodriguez, Jr. gets a tooth removed.Robert Knapczyk listens to his dentist’s advice prior to his treatment.Robert Knapczyk listens to his dentist’s advice prior to his treatment.Jose Amparan grimaces as Dr. Rachel Embree, dental resident, numbs his mouth.Jose Amparan grimaces as Dr. Rachel Embree, dental resident, numbs his mouth.Nohora Hernandez, dental assistant, lightly strokes the head of Vidalia Ruiz, who flinches in tears from the pain of the numbing injections she receives.Nohora Hernandez, dental assistant, lightly strokes the head of Vidalia Ruiz, who flinches in tears from the pain of the numbing injections she receives.“That’s the best thing about this job—watching people leave happy,” says Omar Abarca, dental assistant and driver.“That’s the best thing about this job—watching people leave happy,” says Omar Abarca, dental assistant and driver.Omar Abarca, dental assistant, and Dr. Rachel Embree, dental resident, examine the site of one woman’s dental pain.Omar Abarca, dental assistant, and Dr. Rachel Embree, dental resident, examine the site of one woman’s dental pain.

Five days a week, 52 weeks a year, the Dental Van, a Mobile Dentistry Program at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, pulls through streets of some of Chicago’s most underserved areas. Visiting homeless shelters, public schools, nursing homes and community centers, everyone who needs a reason to smile is welcomed aboard.

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Comments

One Comment

  1. Angela Hacke
    Angela Hacke May 15, 2013 at 10:46 am · Reply

    This is a great program that is supported by generous donations from the community. Thank you to everyone who supports the Mobile Dentistry Program.

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health enews Staff
health enews Staff

health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.

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