Dental Services on the Go: Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Provides Pediatric Mobile Dental Van to Children in the Community
By Carmen Chau
Published July 03, 2024
Going to the dentist for any child or teenager may not exactly provide a serotonin boost for them.
It is normal to get dental anxiety, but the Pediatric Mobile Dental Van of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital has eased some of those fears and instead, turned it into an experience one would look forward to.
A $50,000 grant from the Delta Dental New Jersey Foundation funded Yale New Haven Hospital’s (YNHH) Expanding Dental Homes for the Head Start Children program, which is providing pediatric dental care throughout the New Haven community.
To meet the needs of the area, as well as solve for the COVID-19 restrictions still in place at local schools, YNHH converted an RV to provide mobile dentistry to local Head Start Children.
YNHH’s program has provided preventive dental care and education to children ages six months to five years enrolled in early and preschool Head Start programs.
The RV is a former COVID-19 vaccine unit that is outfitted with dental equipment and supplies funded by the Delta Dental grant in a child-friendly environment. Pediatric dentists and residents provide comprehensive dental care to at-risk children. Dental care includes dental exams, x-rays, dental cleanings, and fluoride treatments, as well as home care instruction.
