Ronald McDonald Care Mobile

Our Mobile Clinic Brings Care to Kids Who May Not Regularly Visit a Dentist

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America. One in every five children aged 5 to 11 has at least one untreated decayed tooth. It’s a problem that overwhelmingly affects kids from low income families, who are less likely to receive regular dental care. Tooth decay is painful and has far-reaching consequences for children’s health and development. Children with tooth decay can have difficulty eating and be more susceptible to ear and sinus infections. They may be reluctant to speak or smile and suffer from low self-esteem. Tooth decay can also cause poor speech articulation, poor school performance, and attention difficulties. In fact, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness in the U.S.

That’s why University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile travels to schools and Head Starts to provide dental care for nearly 4,000 children each year who don't have a regular dentist and are not getting routine checkups and cleanings. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is a 43-foot-long full dental clinic on wheels that provides on-site dental care to underserved children ages 3 to 12 throughout Northeast Ohio. With child-sized chairs and state-of-the-art equipment, The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is staffed by pediatric dentists and dental assistants who are experts in the unique needs of children.

Launched in 2010 with the generous support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio and McDonald’s Restaurants of Northeast Ohio, Rainbow’s Care Mobile provides routine dental screenings and cleanings. In addition to preventive care, treatment options include filling cavities, extractions, pulp therapy and placing crowns. Children treated on Rainbow’s Care Mobile are sent home with a report that lets caregivers know what happened during the visit and explains any special follow up care that might be needed.

UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile travels to Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties.

Because the Care Mobile’s mission is to provide needed dental care for children without a regular dentist who would not otherwise receive this care, our focus is on providing care for kids from low income families. To qualify for a visit from Rainbow’s Care Mobile, you must be:

UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is operated by Rainbow Pediatric Dentistry and is made possible through the generosity of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio and McDonald’s Restaurants of Northeast Ohio. To learn more, call UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile at 216-844-3084.

Erin Glending, MHA, Manager, UH Rainbow Pediatric Dentistry 216-286-0856 UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s

Alisa Powell-Stovall, Director of Hospital-Based Programs 216.229.5757 x1118 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc.