Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Director of Health and Community Wellness Ketlen Alsbrook, and other dignitaries cut the ribbon to launch the City of Newark’s new Mobile Dental Center today, in a press conference on the front steps of City Hall. After opening the facility, its oral health care providers offered free on-site dental screenings to walk-in resident patients.
The cutting-edge, two-operatory, dental mobile unit is designed to bring comprehensive dental care directly to underserved communities in Newark. Equipped to provide general dental services, emergency treatment, and preventive care, this mobile unit represents a major step forward in reducing barriers to oral health.
“Dental health is a cornerstone of fundamental systemic wellbeing, as well as our basic enjoyment of life. Without it, we are at risk of a wide variety of illnesses and could even find us reluctant to share our smile. No one in Newark deserves to live like that,” said Mayor Baraka. “This new mobile unit removes transportation and other obstacles faced by many of our residents and shows the level of creativity and compassion our city employs to care for our neighbors. I’m proud of our Department of Health and Community Wellness and all our partners who have certainly made this day one to smile about!”
The mobile dental unit features the latest technology and equipment to deliver high-quality care in a variety of settings—including schools, senior centers, community centers, and remote areas—where traditional dental offices may not be easily accessible. The two fully functional operatories allow simultaneous service to multiple patients, increasing efficiency and reducing wait times.
“The Newark Department of Health is constantly looking for opportunities to increase access to care and to improve the health outcomes of the community we serve. The acquisition of a dental mobile unit gives us the ability to join with community partners to organize and imbed dental care into programs and events that are happening across our city,” said Director Alsbrook. “Oral health is a contributing factor to our overall health and should be equally prioritized.”
“Our new dental mobile unit represents a vital step toward closing the gap in healthcare access for underserved communities in Newark,” said Dr. Baseemah Marshall, Dental Director at the Department of Health and Community Wellness – Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center. “Oral health is an essential part of overall health—untreated dental issues can lead to serious complications beyond the mouth. By bringing quality dental care directly to those who need it most, we are working to improve both individual well-being and the broader health of our communities.”
Services offered include routine cleanings, examinations, fillings, extractions, emergency dental treatment, and preventive education. The unit is equipped with advanced imaging technology and sterilization protocols to meet the highest standards of patient safety and care.
Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being, yet many populations continue to experience disparities in access to dental care. By deploying this state-of-the-art mobile unit, the Department of Health and Community Wellness – Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center is committed to closing these gaps and promoting healthier smiles throughout the community.
“As a proud long-time resident of Newark, I am honored to celebrate the launch of our dental mobile unit, a critical advancement in delivering quality health care directly to the heart of our community,” said Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center Board of Commissioners Chair Atiya Jaha-Rashidi. “As a nurse, raising my family in the City of Newark, I know the very real barriers that our residents face to access basic health care services. Dental care, although often overlooked, is essential to overall health and wellness. If untreated, dental problems often lead to long term, serious health problems that impact self-esteem in every aspect of daily life.”
City of Newark resident and dental clinic patient Kenneth Howard smiled throughout his comments at the podium. “My experience with Newark’s dental staff showed me their high level of professionalism and skill, as much as their kindness and interest in my wellbeing,” he said. “Since doing my dental procedure, I have gone from someone who wouldn’t even smile, to now performing on stage as an actor, doing plays as a second career!”
With its hours based on appointment and the scheduling of dental health events around the city, the Mobile Dental Center expands on the services already provided at the Department of Health and Community Wellness Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center at 110 William Street. The brick and mortar dental center is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information or to schedule a visit from the mobile dental unit, please contact (973) 424-4220. To schedule an appointment for dental services at the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center, call 1-800-734-7083.
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