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The Molar Express
History and Purpose. This project is the result of several years of research and planning to find ways of providing dental services for north country residents who experience barriers to accessing dental care in traditional dental practices.
A Mobile Service Model The Molar Express consists of two mobile dental chairs (operatories) that provide high quality dental care on-site in schools, hospitals, health care clinics and other community locations. This program is modeled after Access Dental Care, a program developed in Greensboro, NC, that provides dental care to special populations. More information about the Access Dental Care program is located at: http://www.accessdentalcare.org. Community Education and Outreach Many people consider oral health signs and symptoms to be less important indicators of general illness. As a result, people may avoid or postpone needed dental care, making the problem worse and potentially leading to other health problems. A critical component of The Molar Express is client education to increase the public’s understanding of the meaning of oral health and the relationship of the mouth to the rest of the body. To this end, the program includes education and training on oral health care to health and human service professionals and complementary social marketing activities targeting the general public. Funding The Molar Express was initially funded by grants from the NH Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid program, the Endowment for Health, the Delta Dental Foundation, the Cogswell Benevolent Trust and the hospitals in the North Country. Currently the program relies on operating revenue. The Role Of The North Country Health Consortium The administrative home of the Molar Express is the North Country Health Consortium (NCHC) . NCHC employs the project staff, oversees the purchase and maintenance of equipment, manages scheduling of appointments, maintains the electronic dental records, provides care coordination services, is responsible for billing, provides quality assurance and program evaluation functions. North Country Health Consortium Members:
Additional invaluable assistance has been provided by NH Department of Health and Human Services Oral Health Program (Concord); Northern NH Area Health Education Center (Littleton); the Berlin Dental Task Force and the Grafton County Dental Task Force. For more information, please contact:
North Country Health Consortium, Inc. 7 Main Street, Whitefield, NH 0398 Phone: (603) 986-5485 or e-mail: molarexpress@nchcnh.org
7 Main Street, Suite 7 • Whitefield NH 03598 • 603-837-2519 (phone) • 603-837-9451 (fax)
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