ReachOut Healthcare America

ReachOut Healthcare America is working hard to insure that all children are provided adequate dental care. With the use of their mobile school dental program they are able to reach out to the millions of low-income students who would otherwise not be able to afford proper dental care. According to their website, ReachOut Healthcare America is “the nation’s leading healthcare organization specializing in mobile dentistry and mobile medical support.”

Currently, ReachOut Healthcare America has begun visiting elementary schools in the Raytown district. Westridge Elementary was visited on February 28, and on March 14 ReachOut will be visiting Blue Ridge Elementary.

These visits are provided free to students who qualify for Medicaid, and were unanimously approved by the RQS School Board earlier this year. These visits include a full set of x-rays, cleaning, filling of cavities, and baby tooth extraction if necessary.

Students were sent home with flyers announcing the program, and according to District Nurse Mary Alice Kelly, there was a good response. “This is a terrific program for our students,” Kelly said. “Dental visits at schools help us locate problems early and help with teaching children the importance of caring for their teeth.”

While ReachOut Healthcare America is providing this program free of charge to those students who qualify for Medicaid, anyone can take advantage of this convenient program and simply have their regular insurance carrier billed.

For those parents who are a bit concerned about their children being afraid of the dentist, ReachOut Healthcare America says parents are welcome to attend the clinic to help ease their fear.

The ReachOut Healthcare America program will continue to run through the summer months, with visits to summer school sites.