Clinical Feature Story: The Section of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery's New Pediatric Dental Van

The Ronald Macdonald Care Mobile opened recently. A project that took more than two years to bring to fruition, it provides dental services in southside neighborhoods.

The vehicle, which parks each night in a specially constructed and heated parking space at the Friend Center, was constructed by Life Line Systems. Funded by a grant from the Ronald Macdonald House Charities, the first practice sites are at LaRabida and the Friend Center and will be staffed initially by Devah Shah, D.D.S., and Barbara Traina, D.D.S., Clinical Associates, who bring experience with mobile services from other hospitals as well as private care settings.

The self-contained unit can accommodate two patients at a time, and is driven by Donald Seals, a trained commercial vehicle driver, who will also serve as the clinic coordinator, and a hygienist. All the medical records are available through networked computers, and billing and scheduling can be coordinated at the site.

The vehicle was commissioned on October 13, 2004, by Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn at a ceremony at La Rabida Hospital.