More than 1,800 underserved adults and children throughout north and central New Jersey will now have consistent access to affordable, high quality dental care, thanks to a new mobile dental clinic launched August 10 by Zufall Health.

The Zufall Delta Dental Mobile, which debuted at a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this year, will play a key role on November 17 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey,  at the community health center’s largest event in conjunction with National Rural NRHD Logo_Noember19,2015Health Day. Free dental services and medical screenings will be available.

A dental clinic-on-wheels has long been on Zufall’s wish list, according to Dr. Sam Wakim, chief dental officer at the nonprofit community health center. Having provided limited dental services on Zufall’s medical van for some time, he said a sustainable, efficient solution was needed to improve patients’ access and provide them with a permanent dental home.

“Not only will our van reduce barriers to care such as cost and transportation, it will improve the level of care and regularity we can now provide,” he said.

The 39-foot, state-of-the-art mobile unit has two fully equipped operatories utilizing cutting-edge technology and will accommodate comprehensive preventative and restorative dental services. At a cost of $350,000, it has been funded by primary sponsor Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. Additional funding was provided by Partners for Health Foundation in Montclair.

 

“This dental van will allow Zufall to bring greatly needed services directly to our most vulnerable populations, especially to those living in rural areas or who otherwise cannot get to one of our six dental offices,” said Eva Turbiner, Zufall’s president and chief executive officer.

Organizations interested in information about scheduling a van visit to their site can contact Michelle Blanchfield, director of Outreach and Special Populations, at 973-328-9100 Ext. 323. Patients who want more information about eligibility and the van’s schedule can call dental van manager William Torres at 973-329-3344 or visit www.zufallhealth.org.

In New Jersey, Zufall joins 22 other community health centers recognized for their achievements as critical health care safety nets for state residents. Last year, they collectively served more than 481,000 individuals in 1.6 million visits.