X-rays on wheels

HICKORY

When the dental X-ray truck rolled into Hickory on Thursday, Jerri and Jeffery Lail were delighted.

"God bless you," Jerri told the technicians as she left the unit parked at the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry.

"Many people will be so grateful for this," she said.

The customized RV-sized truck is the newest tool in the N.C. Dental Society's Missions of Mercy that takes dental care to the people who need it.

The BlueCross BlueShield Foundation made the truck possible.

"We've made a $612,000, three-year commitment to the dental society," said Brad Wilson, foundation chairman and president and CEO of BCBS.

"The van provides X-ray capability on dental issues for people who can't afford dental care."

Mobile dental care is not new for the foundation and Missions of Mercy. But the imposing truck, with its crew of certified technicians, enables the program to serve many more people.

"It moves the clinics to first-class status," Wilson said.

Although the X-ray unit can be set up anywhere, Missions of Mercy works closely with local clinics like the ones established at Cooperative Christian Ministry.

CCM Executive Director Roger Baker was glad to have the mobile unit for the day.

"It's one of the keys to success of the North Carolina clinic movement," he said.

Baker also had high praise for the BCBS foundation and some unexpected help last year he called a "bonus for clinics" that struggled with budget reductions.

"We got an additional $53,000 from them. It got us through a rough time."

Wilson said CCM has greater clinic capability that other organizations he's seen. CCM has year-round medical, vision and dental clinics.

"This (the mobile X-ray) will enable them to help more people," he said.

The Lails heartily agreed.

"This means the world to me," Jerri said. The X-rays really help. They see everything. It's a Godsend."

She and her husband are no strangers to the CCM dental clinic.

"They've done so much. They've helped me maintain my dental health. No cavities.

"They gave me my self-esteem back."

The Lails are like many people. They have no dental insurance, and dental care is beyond their severely reduced income.

"Government doesn't help with dental," Jeffery said. "The only way we get dental care is with this clinic (at CCM). The X-ray truck is a good idea."

Jerri has been coming to CCM clinics for nine years. "To be in pain and be able to go here to get your teeth fixed is wonderful."

She also mentioned the dental hygiene program at Catawba Valley Community College, where some CCM clients are referred.

"I got my teeth cleaned there," Jerri said. "The students want experience, and they can do the cleaning."

Jeffrey has a message for anyone thinking about supporting CCM and Missions of Mercy.

"The money goes where it's supposed to go, to the people who need help," he said. "I don't know what we'd do if not for the clinics."

So what does he think about the big, shiny, high-tech mobile X-ray lab?

"It shows where the problem is and if you really need a tooth pulled."

He smiles.

"It's a lot better than tying a string to a doorknob."

On the Net:

Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry: www.ccmhickory.com.

BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation: www.bcbsncfoundation.org.

North Carolina Missions of Mercy: www.ncdental.org.

CVCC dental hygiene program: www.cvcc.edu. Look under Degrees & Programs.

About the truck

The custom truck that carries the dental imaging laboratory is of monster proportions. It has to be to house six X-ray machines.

They're not those old-style, creepy-looking machines of years' past. We're talking state-of-the-art digital radiology here, all spic-and-span white.

Dr. Alec Parker, executive director of the North Carolina Dental Society, showed off the high-tech interior.

There are four imaging rooms, a conference alcove and a computer nook.

"All the information we get from X-rays — images and everything — is put into the computer," Parker said. "The information is stored and can be shared with a dentist, free clinic or a health department for patient followup."

The staff is made up of dental assistants and hygienists, all certified in radiology.

The truck is handicap accessible. "We have a lift," Parker said. "We can accommodate anyone who needs our service and handle them with care."

Parker said the mobile lab is part of a three-vehicle fleet.

There's an equipment truck for support and a van that hauls more sensitive supplies such as chemicals.

The fleet is based at the dental society's headquarters in Cary.

The Missions of Mercy mobile lab will be on the road throughout the year. The next stop is in Jackson County in June. Later that month, it will show up in Sparta.

One trip will take it all the way to the Outer Banks.

"We try to take care of our patients' most urgent needs," Parker said, "and this (mobile lab) is perfect.

"It's a great opportunity to be able to take treatment to where the people are."