Dentists On Wheels

As of May 2019, DOW has focused its efforts on expanding accessible dental care to adults, seniors, and children who currently lack affordable dental care in Contra Costa and Alameda County. DOW's mission is to address and rectify the barriers of limited access and coverage to comprehensive oral healthcare.

DOW is reaching marginalized segments of the population in need of accessible oral healthcare by formulating partnerships and connecting with other nonprofit organizations that provide various services to people in need. Dentists on Wheels has teamed up with John Muir Health to achieve our goal of promoting health equity and access to care, a priority area outlined by their community health needs assessment. John Muir Health will provide logistical support so that Dentists on Wheels can provide dental services to underserved and uninsured individuals. Partnerships in place with the Livermore Valley Unified Joint School district have given DOW the funding and program support necessary to allow DOW to provide their students and families with accessible oral healthcare. Agreements with local private dental offices, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Livermore Valley Unified Joint School district has given DOW access to office locations in various areas in and around Contra Costa County. Partnerships with community stakeholders and a network of volunteers that have committed to donating their time and services to fulfill our mission allow us the capability to support the underserved adults and children within Contra Costa County, the Tri Valley, and the Livermore Valley Unified Joint School district.

Dentists on Wheels has worked to promote financial sustainability by seeking out a flexible mix of funding sources and partnerships. DOW has formulated long term partnerships with numerous community stakeholders who have pledged financial and program support. Furthermore, our clinic will accept patients with Denti-Cal in addition to serving uninsured patients. Three days a week will be devoted to serving uninsured patients while two days a week reduced cost dental services will be available to patients who have Denti-Cal. DOW’s mission is to provide affordable dental care to 2500 patients in the coming year. We intend to achieve our goal by serving 10 patients a day over 250 work days. We are working to expand the capacity and reach of our organization through increased funding from both corporate and individuals donors.

Our nonprofit was created as a sustainable approach to provide quality and accessible oral health care. Since its inception, DOW has raised thousands of dollars worth of donations in both physical items and monetary support. We have also created partnerships with numerous organizations that have pledged varying degrees of support. DOW is working with the director of community health Improvement at John muir health to expand access to oral healthcare to adults and seniors. We have also committed to serving the children within the Livermore Valley Unified Joint School who currently lack affordable access to dental care services. St. Vincent De Paul has also committed to providing operatory space for DOW where we can serve patients. DOW has also gained a network of volunteers that have committed to donating their time and services to fulfill our mission. DOW is continuously working to expand the capacity and reach of our organization through increased funding from both corporate and individuals donors.