Out With the Old and In With the New

By Dr. Sarah Cimino

It’s again that time of year that I get to take over the “Tooth Talk” section of Heartbeats and impart on all of you a reflection, tidbit, memory, or musing from my year. As this is now my 12th year aboard the Tooth Truck,

I was beginning to think I had shared all there was to know about our perfect little “dental office on wheels” and the amazing patients, staff, and community that put a smile on my face each and every day. But then, a 30,000 pound new office rolled into our lives and I find myself bursting with excitement and anticipation of all the new stories and memories to come.

I digress though, and must step back to 2021 when we learned of an opportunity through Springfield Public Schools to apply for American Rescue Plan Act ESSER funds. This funding would allow us to purchase a whole new mobile dental unit, which was much needed as our original Tooth Truck had reached the end of its lifespan. With the overwhelming news that our request had been funded, we set off to design our dream Tooth Truck.

Staff

PRESIDENT & CEO

Bonnie Keller

PROGRAM DIRECTORRONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE

Mindy Muñoz

GENERAL DENTIST

Dr. Sarah Cimino

COMMUNITY DENTISTS

Dr. Aaron Dannegger

Dr. Brett Durbin

Dr. Misty Shelton

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Over the next 18 months, we researched, planned, designed, ordered, went on site visits, and finally received our new Tooth Truck. On January 17, we welcomed aboard our first patients as we parked outside a local Springfield elementary school (and were greeted by many more smiling faces from the playground as they pressed their faces to the fence to get a better view and wave to their friends).

Dawn Brown

DENTAL ASSISTANTS

Megan Sanders

Kassidy Tuttle

PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT

Amanda Honor

Our original Tooth Truck saw its first patient in 2002 and welcomed more than 30,500 patients over its 20 year career for a treatment total of $21.7 million. What a legacy to hand down to our new Tooth Truck! PAGE 10

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks

December Stats

Children Treated: ...............98

Dental Appointments Provided: ...............................189

Year to Date Dental

Appointments: ...............2,529

Program to Date Dental

Appointments: ...........64,805

Program to Date Value of Treatment: .......$21.7 Million