Loralei Pulley was the Smile Mobile’s 5,000, unduplicated patient. As the 5,000 patient, Pulley was excited to have her picture taken with Dr. Mathew Ausmus and the rest of the Smile Mobile team. Including repeat patients, the Smile Mobile has seen more than 7,000 total patient visits.

The Smile Mobile is a tooth-white, 34-foot long Winnebago, and is a fully equipped dentist’s office. Since August 2004, the Smile Mobile has been providing free teeth cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions and other dental work to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity or means to receive dental care. The Smile Mobile travels from school to school in a seven-county area, Monday through Thursday, year-round. During the summer months, the Smile Mobile visits health departments and summer schools.

“It’s an amazing program,” Dorothy Lambert, project coordinator for the Smile Mobile, said. “I’ve been here three years and I still think that.”
In addition to providing dental care, the Smile Mobile seeks to educate children and parents about good dental hygiene. So far, the Smile Mobile has provided more than 43,000 students with dental education.

“We are really promoting sealants,” Lambert said. “We are specifically targeting second- and sixth-graders for getting first and second molars sealed. A sealant is a hard plastic coating placed on top of the tooth that prevents food and bacteria from getting in the cracks – it’s very effective.”

Since Nov. 1, 2007, the Smile Mobile is working toward its goal of providing 14,000 sealants to a total of 5,000 kids during the next four years, thanks to a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health.

The Smile Mobile team consists of Dr. Mathew Ausmus, a board-certified pediatric dentist, known as Dr. Matt to his young patients; Susan Courson, a certified dental assistant; Gabriella Brinkman, a certified dental assistant; Beth McGaha, a dental assistant and education coordinator and Dorothy Lambert, project coordinator for the Smile Mobile.

Those wishing to make a donation to the Smile Mobile are asked to contact Lorrie Hartley, Assistant Director of Phelps Regional Health Care Foundation at (573) 458-7946.