Children’s Volunteer Health Network’s (CVHN) Mobile Dental Clinic has been traveling to local Elementary Schools providing free preventive care and oral health education to children who would otherwise not be able to afford this service. Why did CVHN start this program? Nearly 60% of the children in our community have no dental insurance and do not receive regular dental care. “We knew how bad the situation was after 2 years of urgent dental cases coming through our office escalated to more than 55% of our total requests for assistance”, says Tricia Carlisle-Northcutt, CVHN Founder. “When the organization was founded 4 years ago, we thought the primary need would be medical; we were mistaken.”
 CVHN took a leap of faith, getting the Mobile Dental Clinic Program, “Just for Grins” started, which entailed, among other things, purchasing a 34 foot RV to serve as the Dental Clinic on wheels. The program has provided free oral exams, X-rays, Cleanings, Fluoride treatments and Sealants to over 800 kids at 7 Walton County Elementary Schools. The MDC also visited the Children in Crisis neighborhood in Okaloosa County.  ”We’ve been driving this big blank blue RV around Walton and Okaloosa Counties since May of ‘08,” says Denise Johnston, Registered Dental Hygienist and Program Manager, “I’m excited for people to know who we are and what we do. With the new graphics on the outside of the bus, folks will see us coming!” Johnston also said the kids will be so excited to see the big blue bus decorated.Â
 Laura Granberry, of Simple Design Studio, created the design for the MDC. “My design vision for the bus was to create a fun and friendly environment for the kids. People don’t always look forward to going to the dentist and most kids are afraid. I thought it would be fun to have the kids’ drawings on the bus because it would help distract the children from their fears – I could see the parents, volunteers or dental hygienists asking the children to ‘find the rainbow’ or ‘show me where a boat is’. I wanted to design a happy place for the kids.”
 A World of Signs worked with Granberry’s design, using the highest quality materials and state-of-the-art installation process to bring the vision to life. “We stand behind our work and pride ourselves on delivering the best product while keeping within our customers’ budget”, says Kevin Marler, owner of A World of Signs. “I was especially excited to be involved in this project when I found out what the Mobile Dental Clinic was all about.” Kevin’s enthusiasm was shared by his father, who was present when the MDC was dropped off for the facelift: He talked to Denise and Kelly Taylor about the program and the kids it serves, and instantly gave them a generous donation. “It had been a rough day on the MDC”, says Kelly, Registered Dental Hygienist, “we had a couple of mechanical issues we had to work through. But when we showed up at Kevin’s shop and spent some time with his dad sharing what we do for these children, he was moved. God works in an amazing way.”Â
“The bus getting graphics installed couldn’t have come at a better time,” says Kate Johnson. “This week marks CVHN’s 4th Birthday; which for us is a time not to reflect upon our accomplishments, but to plan our future….how can we best continue to serve our kids?”
