WELCOME TO THE TOOTH TAXI
Children in Oregon have some of the worst oral health in our nation. Because of poverty, lack of access, and other social and economic issues, Oregon children suffer more dental pain and infection than children in almost any other state. Poor oral health affects overall health, and, when left untreated, may cause greater problems in the future.
That is why the work being performed on the Tooth Taxi is critical.
Since September 2008 when the Tooth Taxi first hit the road, youth served include:
25,972 students screened.
15,868 appointments in the Tooth Taxi
25,15 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom.
$9,048,415 value of dental care provided.
Over the years, our Tooth Taxi dentists have worked miracles with children who might have some angst about visiting the dentist. Dr. Amanda Rice, former Tooth Taxi dentist, shared in 2017 that “by the end of an appointment with a kindergartner, the tiny patient was singing and laughing and exclaiming how excited she was to see the dentist again. Taking a step back to enjoy these moments with a child allows us to appreciate the large impact we can make when we focus upon the small things.”
It is success stories that inspire The Dental Foundation of Oregon to continue to advocate for improvement and increased education about oral and dental health.
For children in poverty, the Tooth Taxi has become a chance to escape a childhood of chronic pain. For The Dental Foundation of Oregon, the Tooth Taxi is a dream that was more than three years in the making.
That dream became a reality on August 27, 2008, with the unveiling of the Tooth Taxi at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. The joint project of the DFO, The ODA Companies (now Moda Health), and OEA Choice Trust measured an impressive 38 feet in length and included two full operatories. Sliding sections allowed the van’s width to increase from 8 feet to 12 feet, creating nearly 400 square feet of usable space. Purchased on January 14, 2008, the van was renamed the Tooth Taxi and took more than six months to construct at the Winnebago factory in Iowa at a cost of around $500,000. It was driven by Benner Motors to American Dental International (ADI) in Tualatin, which then installed all the dental equipment, generator, air compressor, vacuums, X-ray, lights, all other delivery systems, and general items such as First Aid kits, fire extinguishers, etc. SPINK Design Machines, a Minneapolis design firm provided the pro-bono branding and identity work for the Tooth Taxi in 2007, with Kolorwerks, another local Oregon company, who applied the van graphics. The Tooth Taxi’s first non-dental service outing was at the OASBO meeting July 23-24, 2008, in Eagle Crest.
THE COOL KIDS HANG OUT AT THE TOOTH TAXI
SPREAD THE SMILES. JOIN THE TEAM.
We need volunteers when visiting your community! Come spend a day or half-day on the Tooth Taxi and help make a difference.
FREE DOWNLOAD
BUILD GOOD HABITS AT HOME!
Download and print this free weekly calendar to help a child build good brushing habits. Check off or use fun stickers each day for morning and night brushing!
