You know the Tooth Truck, right? We’re officially called the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® but our friends call us the Tooth Truck! Speaking of friends, we have a lot of them in the community, counting generous supporters like you who keep us on the road, along with 26,850 children we’ve reached since 2002. 26,850 kids! That’s quite a Tooth Truck fan club full of bright, sparkly smiles! And we’re still on the road, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. While operating the Tooth Truck requires a lot more coordination and flexibility these days, we’re thrilled to continue connecting with kids and meeting their dental needs! Since the program began, more than $18 million in services has been provided for at risk children at no charge to their families.
This year, the Tooth Truck continues to positively impact children right here in Southwest Missouri. The largest group of children we serve is through Springfield Public Schools, the largest school district in Missouri, where last year we provided $850,000 in dental treatment for 809 SPS students. The Tooth Truck is committed to serving EVERY STUDENT that qualifies for free and reduced lunch, regardless of Medicaid coverage.
This school year presents uncharted challenges to connecting with kids, particularly with students attending seated classes only two days a week. The Tooth Truck team works closely with each school nurse to ensure children in need of dental care have access while at school. The Tooth Truck’s goal is to complete the treatment plan of every child we see for a cavity-free smile. We complete 99% of all treatment plans. And when we follow-up with these children, we find that 90% of them have the same or better oral health three years after their treatment plan is completed.
We need your help to keep the Tooth Truck on the road in our community.
Please join our community of supporters and donate today – we’re not just fixing teeth, we’re boosting self-confidence and making local children’s lives better!
