Columbia University’s mobile dental clinic provides free oral healthcare to underserved communities, particularly the elderly.

Ramona Marte did not want to say her age, but she did say that as time goes by, the oral health of the elderly is being forgotten due to many factors.

“Very good, it gives a lot of benefit to one, especially to us seniors, mainly that we can’t walk or take a bus or that,” said Marte.

It is a great relief for Ramona to arrive at the mobile dental clinic that is part of a dental program at Columbia University and is staffed by students and doctors.

“It’s that we old people neglect ourselves too much, mija already knows, but thank God they have put this on us, which is phenomenal,” added Ramona.

Fully equipped, the mobile clinic travels through neighborhoods like Washington Heights, Harlem, Inwood and the South Bronx, which often have limited access to health care.

“You feel satisfaction and I think that this is the most beautiful part of the job when you do it for free and from the heart,” explained Claudia Sorio, student of Dentistry, Columbia University

And they mainly serve the elderly and children in these areas, through neighborhood organizations.

“Cleanliness, especially for the elderly, is very important because at this age their diet is different. It is softer at times, depending on the medications, the health of each person, they also use prostheses and accumulate bacteria and plaques,” added Sorio.

Patients are cared for regardless of ability to pay.

“We really don’t care who you are, where you come from, we want to take care of you,” explained Dr. Marc Michalowicz.

Within their services, they offer exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns, sealants and fluoride treatment.

In addition, in this clinic in particular, they offer the elderly other types of health services in general.

“We also offer other specialists and other equipment, like last week, we had a great skin cancer detection event, we have people who perform vision and hearing tests,” said Daniel López, clinic coordinator.

The clinic has also visited churches to serve migrants who have recently arrived in the city and they hope to continue expanding and be able to help more people with dental services.