Volunteer Susan Shawver, left, and MOVHD Oral Health Coordinator Mary Beth Shea, center, watch as dental hygienist Tara Felter cleans a student’s teeth during a visit Wednesday to Van Devender Middle School. The program brings a mobile dental clinic to schools to conduct preventive care on students who do not receive regular dental care. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — A collaborative program between Wood County Schools and the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is bringing dental health to area students.

Though this marks the 11th year for the mobile health program, officials say the new Mobile Health Services Unit has allowed for more and better service to students.

“The problem we were facing before is there just wasn’t room for us at the schools,” said MOVHD Oral Health Coordinator Mary Beth Shea. “We had to haul in our equipment, find a space, clean the space, and work as best we could.”

The mobile unit, which will visit all 27 Wood County public schools, has two service areas stocked with state-of-the art equipment which would be found in a dental office. The center also includes an office area as well as additional storage.

“We’ve upgraded all of our equipment,” Shea said. “We have the same space to operate out of each time, and can keep it clean and organized.”

A mobile health center provided by the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department will bring mobile dental care to all 27 of Wood County’s public schools. Officials say schools need electrical upgrades to power the trailer, which is currently run off a portable generator. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Shea said the mobile unit provides “preventative services,” including dental health screenings, cleanings and fluoride application. The dental hygienist also can put on a dental sealant which helps prevent cavities. Parents complete a brief health history and consent form before students are seen.

The service does not replace the need to see a dentist, Shea said, and in fact is aimed toward students who have rarely or never been to a dentist. Even with middle-school-aged students, some have never had any kind of professional dental care, she said.

“A dentist can provide comprehensive services, and that is where we want to direct them,” Shea said. “We follow up with the parents, the school nurse, and we provide a list of dentists, including those who accept Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).”

The mobile dental services are provided to the student without cost, Shea said, and volunteers escort the students to and from the trailer to ensure their safety.

Don Brown, head of safety for Wood County Schools, said the mobile health unit also acts as an emergency response center. The storage area of the trailer includes triage tents, equipment and an online system which can link with Wood County 911 and state agencies in Charleston.

But Brown said officials are struggling with powering the trailer. Currently, he said, they use a gasoline-powered generator, as the schools do not have sufficient connections to allow the trailer to hook into their electrical systems.

“The generator is heavy. It’s loud. It uses a lot of gasoline,” he said. “And it takes up space that could be used for other emergency supplies.”

Brown said officials are looking to install 50 amp external plugs at the schools, but the process can be expensive, up to several thousand dollars per building.

“We’re looking to get some grant money, but we’re also hoping the communities will step up and help out at the individual buildings,” he said.

“This has been a great collaboration with Wood County Schools,” Shea said. “We have a great relationship with local dentists. A lot of people are working to make this successful. It really is a wonderful thing for the community.”