Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 12 | 3/30/09 | Sisters of the Road and the ODC
Oregon Dental Convention (ODC)
Each week on the Tooth Taxi is a new adventure. Last week was no different even though we weren’t at a school treating students. Dr. Heringer, James, and Geneva worked at cleaning and getting the Tooth Taxi all set up in the Convention Center in preparation for the ODC. The Fire Marshall upon inspection notified them that vehicles were not allowed to have more than a ¼ tank of gas (we were almost full). That twist sent them on a chase for the afternoon: collecting gas cans, siphoning equipment, a trip back out of the convention center hall and a trip down I-5 to ADI (van mfg) to pump off the tank at the generator. We also set a record for the number of exterior van washings in a 24 hr period - 3 (one power and 2 manual). We’ve hit extremes now, not enough gas and too much gas.
The booth was ready to go when the show opened Thursday afternoon, the Tooth Taxi securely parked and clean. We had several visitors to the Tooth Taxi and our booth. We were successful in recruiting volunteers, which gives us a solid pool to select from when we are in various regions of the state. We posted our Spring and Summer schedule and Tooth Taxi stats.
Volunteer sign-up per profession:
- Dentists - 20
- Dent al Assistants- 42
- Hygienists- 34
- Gen volunteers-5
The highlight of the Convention was recognizing our sponsor the OEA Choice Trust. Maurice Hicks, President, OEA Choice Trust Board of Trustees accepted the DFO “Friends of the Foundation” award on behalf of the OEA Choice Trust. Joining Maurice was his wife Ginny Hicks; OEA Choice Trust Executive Director , Steve McNannay; Vice President of the Oregon Education Association, Gail Rasmussen; OEA Choice Trust Marketing Representative, Holly Spruance.
Maurice and DFO Board President, Dr. Patrick Nearing, photo by Dr. Barry Taylor
Holly Spruance worked at the Tooth Taxi booth, signing up volunteers, sharing our mission and explaining forms in our school packet.
To round out our booth we displayed a volunteer story board, a map of the state with our past and future destinations as well as a story board of kid quotes and thank you notes.
Medical Teams International (MTI) was also at the convention with their newest mobile dental van, which came from a vendor in Texas. Steve Vickers, MTI Executive Director offered to share all his research with us that he did with five vendors for procuring their new van. Tooth Taxi staff and MTI staff were able to share experiences, tour the vans and send attendees to each other’s van. It was a positive exchange and nice way to gain a better understanding of the programs and camaraderie in our missions.
Next week’s recap: Jefferson Elementary School Next week
On The Road: Springfield OR, Riverbend Elementary School
Regards, Mary
