Dental assistant Stephanie Harris and Dr. Renee Watts with a student on the Tooth Taxi

Here is a stunning fact: Oregon children have among the worst oral health in the nation. Because of poverty, lack of access to care, and other social and economic issues Oregon children suffer more dental pain and infection than children in almost any other state. Dental disease isn’t a cosmetic problem. Our children deserve more from us. The Dental Foundation of Oregon is working to improve oral health for Oregon’s children. Find out more about our work and how you can help by clicking on this link: http://smileonoregon.org/.

At the Lane County Fairgrounds today, homeless people in Lane County had the opportunity to access a variety of services and resources, including dental care. Several local agencies were on hand to assist with providing information and donated goods and services. Medical Teams International provided two dental vans where people received dental extractions, provided by volunteer dental care professionals from Eugene-Springfield. Watch the video here.

On Saturday, January 30th, Lane Community College Dental Hygiene students and staff and Lane County Dental Society dentists partnered to provide free care to nearly 60 low-income, uninsured community members. This volunteer effort gave the students some extra practice in patient care and provided a variety of services to patients, including extractions, fillings and cleanings. Thanks to everyone who got up early and gave up their Saturday to make this day a success!

On December 22nd & 23rd, the Oregon Dental Foundation’s Tooth Taxi made a stop in Eugene. It was parked in the White Bird Dental Clinic parking lot for two days as the White Bird Dental staff, Dr. Jan Halvorson and Dr. Renee Watts worked to see a total of twenty low-income adults and children while the White Bird Dental Clinic is undergoing remodeling.

The Tooth Taxi travels the State of Oregon, staffed by a pediatric dentist and dental assistant, providing care to low-income children who would otherwise receive little to no dental care.