Mobile dental care team treating dozens of students at South Tahoe High

The classroom used to teach students a career in dental assisting at South Tahoe High was turned into an actual dental clinic this week with the presence of a mobile team from Southern Califonia to perform much needed services on those without dental insurance.

Dr. Azeem Qureshi, DDS, Hygienist Isabel Uribe and Dental Assistant Nancy Pineda saw 14 students on Wednesday, and are expected to see another 25 on Thursday.

The ReachOut Healthcare America mobile team travels the state to help students who haven't received dental care in years due to a lack of insurance and financial ability to see a dentist.

By the end of the day Wednesday, Dr. Qureshi and his team had already performed extractions, scaling, restorative care such as filings, x-rays, cleanings and application of sealants.

The 40 students in instructor Connie Hunt's dental assisting and radiology classes at SHTS are assisting the mobile team by sterilizing the equipment and rounding up the students receiving the services.

Uribe said they aren't used to such excellent conditions to work in.

"Usually we have to set up a massage table in a classroom," she said.

The classroom is already equipped with three dental chairs in a sterile environment.

The mobile dental team works seven hours straight when they are visiting schools, and today they were treated to lunch from the STHS Booster Club, something they were surprised by. "We try to see as many kids as possible, and that leaves no time for a break," said Uribe.

She also said that all of the filings the local students were receiving were white resin ones, which are more expensive that the typical silver fillings.

If not all the students who need to see the dentist can get through on Thursday, the team will try to fit some in on Friday.

Hunt, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), also teaches the dental assistant program at Lake Tahoe Community College.