Tooth Bus brings a smile to New Orleans residents
A mobile dental unit, known as the Tooth Bus, has been giving children in New Orleans something to smile about.
The mobile unit has been running for the last ten years and has helped thousands of children in New Orleans; the project is run by the Children’s Hospital, in conjunction with Louisiana State University. The project was set up to target children from low income families and improve access to dental services in rural areas.
A team of volunteer dentists work on the Tooth Bus, which has been decorated with Disney characters and bright colours to make children feel at ease and ensure they enjoy their experience of going to the dentist. The dentists take the opportunity to talk to children and parents about oral hygiene and healthy eating during appointments and encourage children to get involved in oral health. The dentists offer a range of dental treatments and usually treat around 800 children each month.
The Tooth Bus is an integral part of healthcare for children in the New Orleans area and has been particularly beneficial in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the area in 2005. Since the hurricane struck, a number of clinics have closed and charities have struggled to keep their free clinics going; the Tooth Bus is a means of reaching out to local children and promoting good oral health across the region.
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