KP youngsters brighten their smiles in the SmileMobile

By Danna Webster, KP News

Healthy teeth for Key Peninsulachildren was the aim of the SmileMobile that parked at Vaughn Elementary in March. It was the first time this dental clinic on wheels has provided care to Key Peninsula children ages 15 and under. The SmileMobile was brought to the KP through the combined efforts of the Pierce County Dental Society,

Volunteers Dr. Eric Kvinsland and his dental assistant, Candace Hegseth from Kvinsland Dentistry in Gig Harbor, treat Alexander Black, a Vaughn Elementary fourth grader, in the SmileMobile. Kvinsland is a Gig Harbor High School graduate (1993) and Hegseth is a Jackson Lake resident who attended Vaughn Elementary. Photo by Hugh McMillan

Community in Schools of the Peninsula, and Washington Dental Service Foundation. This is a program that helps all families receive dental care. Medicaid and sliding scale fee are accepted as reimbursement for services.

The SmileMobile travels the state year-round, providing services ranging from exams and preventive care to fillings and minor oral surgery.

“Twenty-five percent of the days missed from school is (due to) tooth related problems,” says Jennifer Bunch, program coordinator for Pierce County Dental Foundation. Bunch worked with Laurel Shultz of CIS-P to register and schedule the children’s visits. She also coordinated schedules for Gig Harbor dentist volunteers, Drs. Kvinsland,

Coyner and Heacox, to work during the week.

“I think there is a huge void that this van serves,” said Dr. Eric Kvinsland, as he and his dental assistant, Vaughn Elementary alum Candace Hegseth, prepared to see their first patients. This team from Kvinsland Dentistry in Gig Harbor worked side by side with Seattle dental director Dr. Chris Delecki from Children’s Hospital. The goal of the program was to provide treatment for about 75 children during the one-week visit. If all appointments and schedules are kept, the KP will qualify for a return visit of the Smilemobile program on a regular yearly basis.

“I love that they are coming (to the KP),” says Key Center dentist Dr. John Olsson. “I’m glad they are choosing to serve our community.” Olsson has provided service to Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) families for the past 23 years. His work helped call attention to the needs of Key Pen and encouraged the efforts of the cooperating agencies to provide the SmileMobile program.

“My practice is 10 percent DSHS; over 10 percent becomes overwhelming,” Olsson says. “That we are not taking care of everybody is disappointing to me.” He applauded the efforts of Bunch to get other dentists involved and to bring awareness of dental opportunities to the schools in the area.

The SmileMobile—a dental clinic on wheels. Photo by Hugh McMillan

“Getting into treatment is really challenging (for families),” Bunch says. “Dr. Olsson does a phenomenal job. So hopefully, this (SmileMobile) will support Dr. Olsson, too.”

Under the watchful eyes of his mom, Tyrena Burton, Dr. Chris Delecki and dental assistant Krystal Haycock take care of Isaiah Black, a second grader at Vaughn Elementary. Photo by Hugh McMillan

More information

The Pierce County Dental Foundation serves as a referral service for families needing dental assistance.
For information, contact Jennifer Bunch, 253-272-1101 or email

pcdc@nwlink.com.

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