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Published Sunday, June 01, 2008 in Health

Mobile dentist unit visits Coweta

By Amanda Zechiel

The Times-Herald

The Help A Child Smile mobile dental care unit for children visited the Coweta County Health Department on Friday May 30.

Founded by Dr. Mark Shurett and his associates in 1993, Help A Child Smile offers care to children that have limited or no access to oral health care. Of new patients that the clinic sees, over 50% have never seen a dentist before. By operating out of mobile units, Help A Child Smile is able to offer services in areas where traditional dental services would not be affordable.

Help A Child Smile stands out among mobile dental programs because it provides comprehensive dental care including x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, comprehensive exams, and cavity treatment using composite materials.

"We have a very positive response to our mobile units," said Melissa Heath, mobile manager of the unit that was stationed at the Coweta County Health Department.

Heath explained that Help A Child Smile units commonly set up at health departments and also makes visits to schools.

"This can sometimes help fit parents' schedules better so that they don't have to take off work to take their child to the dentist," she explained.

The mobile unit that visited Coweta County is identical to that found in Dr. Shurett's family practice in Conyers--a brightly colored RV-style motor vehicle. Each full service dental office is staffed with one licensed dentist, one certified hygienist, two assistants, one mobile manager and one X-ray technician.

As manager of the mobile unit, Heath mainly focuses on interacting with parents and children.

"We want to make them feel as comfortable as possible. We often ask parents to wait outside, as we seem to be more successful when it is just us with the child," she explained.

For more information about Help A Child Smile and when it will next visit Coweta County, please call 1-800-770-0388.