A free mobile dental care clinic focused on providing services to youth in underserved communities will make a stop in Reading on Wednesday.
The Healthy Smiles for Miles mobile clinic will visit the Berks Community Health Center at Oakbrook from 8 am until 5 pm It will offer services to Medicaid members ages 20 or younger who are insured by Highmark Wholecare.
The clinic is a joint effort between Highmark Wholecare and United Concordia Dental.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, there has been a 69% decrease in dental services among Medicaid patients due to pandemic lockdowns and socio-economic struggles. The mobile clinic is designed to help address that problem.
“The pandemic significantly impacted children’s oral health — especially for our most vulnerable populations,” John Pepper, Highmark Wholecare’s spokesperson, said in an emailed statement announcing the mobile clinic’s visit to Reading. “Our ‘whole health’ model meets our Medicaid members where they are, in their home communities, so that socio-economic barriers like transportation don’t get in the way of physical health.”
The mobile clinic’s stop in Reading is part of a 12-day, statewide tour. It will provide dental services — including x-rays, cleanings and full exams — to hundreds of children and youth.
Any Medicaid member who is insured by Highmark Wholecare can stop by the mobile clinic to receive services.
Those in need of the services are welcome to stop by the clinic at 1040 Liggett Ave.