CHICAGO – To expand access to dental care, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) joined the dental team at Illinois Masonic hospital at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new mobile dentistry van. Feigenholtz successfully fought for funding in the state budget to make the new van a reality.

“Oral hygiene and dental health is an important part of a person’s health care, but often is overlooked,” Feigenholtz said. “Dental visits are often expensive and not always covered by insurance. This new mobile unit will provide comprehensive and affordable dental care to adults and children that have traditionally experienced barriers to care.”

The new mobile dentistry van replaces the 20-year-old van and will serve over 650 patients across Chicago each year.

“For years, the dental department of Illinois Masonic has provided a service to communities lacking adequate access to dental care from their mobile dentistry van,” Feigenholtz said. “The new mobile van is accessible and has modernized equipment to increase the quality of care. The older van will be refurbished and put back into service so that the dental team can continue their work to meet growing demand.”

Of the patients treated, 37% are Medicaid-insured, and 63% have no insurance coverage. The van will act as a modern dental office on wheels, equipped with two exam rooms, a sterile processing center and a wheelchair lift allowing access for patients who use wheelchairs.