Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 27 | 7/13/09 | OCDC – Cornelius & PAL, Gresham
The Police Activities League (PAL) on NE 172nd strives to connect law enforcement and youth in a positive way offering educational, recreational and athletic programs to disadvantaged youth. Murray Todd, who oversees facilities at the ODS plaza where the Tooth Taxi is housed on weekends suggested PAL as a site venue for the Tooth Taxi. Murray has spent a considerable amount of time volunteering with PAL and has been recognized with their volunteer award in the past. http://www.palkids.org/
When I met with PAL about the Tooth Taxi they said, “I’m so glad you called as we were going to apply for a grant with the DFO and now we don’t have to.”
PAL was similar to some of the other summer programs we’ve visited where the turnout is rather low, due to morning and afternoon programs and kids don’t necessarily attend every day. It’s quite different from the school year where we have a captive audience. We screened at PAL on Monday and then went back to treat on Thursday. Murray Todd was able to visit the Tooth Taxi at PAL as well as Miriam Olcott (James’ grandmother) who is 88 years old and lives in NE Portland. Miriam drove over to PAL (by herself) to check out the Tooth Taxi and see her grandson in action.
James operates the Tooth Taxis' Wheelchair Lift
PAL stats:
- 15 students screened
- 10 students treated in the van
- $7,129 value of free dental services provided.
With a low turnout at PAL we spent Tuesday and Wednesday back out in Cornelius at the Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) where we visited earlier in the summer while Dr. Heringer was on vacation.
Several volunteers joined us in Cornelius: Diana Buswell from the OEA Choice Trust, Sarah Raike, hygienist Molly Morse and dental assistant Molly Chai. Michelle Kline also assisted, on loan from ODS Dental Customer Service.
Molly Morse with Tooth Taxi Patient
OCDC - Cornelius stats:
- 48 students screened
- 32 students treated in the van
- $13,523 value of free dental services provided.
Summary
Tooth Taxi, September 2008- July 17, 2009
- 3773 students screened
- 359 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 1328 students treated in the van
- $854,039 value of free dental services provided.
From the kid’s gallery:
When one of the kids at PAL was finished he said he didn’t want to go back to class, he wanted to finish the cartoon (that was playing on the monitor over the dental chair).
Next week on the road:
The Tooth Taxi will be in for routine servicing and then we will be at the Oregon Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) Conference in Redmond.
Next week’s recap:
The Children’s Community Clinic in NE Portland.
Regards, Mary
