Shreveport dentist nationally identified for cellular dentistry outreach | ArkLaTex In-Depth

SHREVEPORT, La. — For some kids in northwest Louisiana, heading to the dentist is a learning knowledge, on wheels. 

Miles for Smiles Cellular Dental Treatment goes to educational facilities in Caddo, Bossier and Webster parishes. 

“We get the middle man out of giving treatment for our youngsters,” mentioned Anneka Alexander, schooling coordinator for Miles for Smiles. “We identify an concern, and we’re there to remedy the challenge, retaining learners in university discovering in a secure setting exactly where they are.”

Their company product will make dental treatment available to youngsters from kindergarten as a result of 12th grade. 

“Each individual student will get hygiene, cleanings, fillings, fluoride remedies, sealants, and comprehensive treatment as very well,” explained Dr. Jeremy Simms, Miles for Smiles CEO. “So we have enough devices on the mobile facility to provide about 40 children a working day.”

While services isn’t really free of charge, they just take all insurance coverage providers.  

In July, Alexander received a nationwide award for his function. He is one-of-12 named as Well being Equity Hero’s from DentaQuest, one of the largest dental suppliers. 

“We require to have more folks prepared to do this and willing to, you know, move exterior of the standard assumed of what dentistry really should be in order to enable those people that might not get the care that they require,” said  Dr. Damien Cuffie, Louisiana State Dental DentaQuest director.

“It is something to be happy of, you know, that we’re that our solutions are not going unnoticed,” reported Alexander. “That our efforts are currently being recognized nationally, and that we are in fact accomplishing a thing to effects our neighborhood.”

With their get the job done, Miles for Smiles supplies treatment to young children that may have not normally gained it. They also give education and learning to college workers and mothers and fathers. 

“He is offering Black and brown communities the option to see a Black service provider or Black dentist,” stated Cuffie. “In which you know, other communities, they may not be equipped to see that at any time. I know rising up, I failed to have a Black company as a as a dentist or a medical professional for that issue.”

For Alexander, the function is not going to stop there. He and his crew are opening a stationary facility in Shreveport. 

“What we are going to do there is do a little bit far more invasive care, I will connect with it,” stated Alexander. “You know, a little little bit much more sedation care. Children with swift dental disease, youngsters with discovering disabilities, that want additional consideration.”

At the stop of the day, Alexander recalled a moment that reminded him why he does his get the job done. 

“I gave a youthful girl, you know, perhaps a second grader a toothbrush,’ said Alexander. “She gave me a hug and I stated, you know what, this is distinct. You know, this is what, I want to sense this. And I guess it can be more of an affirmation that you’re serving to any person.”