As we kick off our third week of Bright Spots acknowledgments, it’s clear that there are many oral health influencers who strive to improve oral health literacy, deliver school-based services, and improve accessible care to all throughout the state. This week the KOHC Bright Spots Committee recognizes the Louisville Dental Society (LDS).  LDS free dental van clinic has been in service for two years. The dental van clinic is unique because they rotate among 3-4 areas to provide a continuum of care.

Mission/Vision: The three main focuses of LDS include leadership, education, and service. They seek to provide free dental care to underserved communities in Louisville and surrounding areas. Currently, LDS is seeking to expand their treatment areas and scope. The program is a fantastic example of dental treatment success that can occur when the government, charitable, professional, and corporate groups flexibly cooperate towards a goal.

Most Compelling Data: We have seen 390 patients, indicating that we are growing and making a difference in needed communities. We’ve seen three patients in private practice. That is encouraging because generous members are providing gratis comprehensive care that’s otherwise unavailable. The value of treatment completed on the mobile van is over $100,000 since December 3, 2015.

Area Served: Louisville and the seven surrounding counties.

Community Partners:

  • Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation
  • Sojourn
  • Joseph’s
  • 4th Avenue Methodist
  • Hotel Louisville
  • Wayside
  • Louisville Pre-Dental Society
  • Louisville Dental Hygiene Society

Dr. Ransdell, the organizer of the LDS Metro Dental Van, said “the normal is to hear many patients who say, I’ve lived so long with this toothache or cavity and just couldn’t afford to get it filled. Patients follow the clinic location to location getting their mouths healthy a little bit at a time.”

Congratulations to the Louisville Dental Society for your outstanding dental service in Kentucky. Visit the Louisville Dental Society website for more information.