The Barron Family

Christina Barron’s children are likely not the first who didn’t look forward to visiting the dentist – but RMHC was able to ease her kids’ anxieties.

After very bad experiences with dentists from a young age, regular dental care was always a struggle. Twice a year, Christina was driving her son Christian, who also has Down syndrome, over 300 miles to a pediatric dentist, where he had to be hospitalized and sedated to receive dental care.

Christian’s sister, Isabelle, 9, also feared the dentist and had reached a point where she wouldn’t open her mouth for anyone! After a while, Isabelle developed such serious tooth abscesses that her mom thought she had the mumps.

That’s when they found “the bus” – what they lovingly call a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in their community. “They love the bus,” Christina said. “It doesn’t have the feel of a regular dentist office and everyone there is great.”

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program is one of the three core RMHC programs. There are currently 44 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs around the world that provide dental or medical care in communities where it is needed most. Local RMHC Chapters partner with a clinical services provider to bring medical or dental services to kids who otherwise may not have access to a dentist or doctor.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile operates just like a conventional dentist or doctor office – but on wheels. The clinical staff provides comprehensive care and education to all who visit. In 2020, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs around the world logged 24,800+ dental visits, 21,600+ medical visits and 22,100+ health education visits in communities where they needed it most.

When the Barron’s fist visited “the bus” Isabelle went first. Even though she was nervous, the dentist’s calm manner relaxed everyone, and all Isabelle’s dental needs were resolved. At her follow-up visit there was a huge improvement in her oral health and anxiety.

Today, Isabelle is teaching her brother, now 13, about oral hygiene and helping him brush and floss his teeth by sharing what she learned.

“I really can’t say enough nice things about the people who work on the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile,” said Christina. “From the front desk to the hygienist to the billing people – they’re all great.”