Tri-County Dental’s Mobile Clinic is back on the road, delivering free dental care to children primarily across Winnebago, Outagamie, and Calumet counties in a newly built, state of the art unit.
The return follows a November 2024 accident that resulted in the loss of the Tri-County Dental’s previous 40-foot Mobile Clinic. While no one was injured, the incident temporarily disrupted the service.
After the loss of the original bus, Tri-County Dental continued serving students by using portable equipment thanks to a grant from the J.J. Keller Foundation and support from Bergstrom Automotive. Schools and community partners came together to find space to set up the equipment.
The new Mobile Clinic represents a $900,000 investment. To bridge the gap between insurance coverage and the total cost, Tri-County Dental launched a community fundraising campaign led by John Bergstrom, Dr. Chris Bergstrom, and Tim Bergstrom.
“Our family completely supports Tri-County Dental and its mobile clinic,” said John Bergstrom. “We’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes for children who don’t have dental insurance. We want to help give them a healthy start.”
Earlier this month, the new Mobile Clinic officially rolled back into operation. In its first month back on the road, the Mobile Clinic has already provided care to 177 children.
“This is truly a full clinic on wheels,” said Sandy Drexler, CEO and Executive Director of Tri-County Dental. “It’s so important that children have healthy teeth. Poor oral health can impact their ability to learn, their confidence, and their long-term health.”
The new Mobile Clinic includes three operatories and portable x-ray systems, allowing providers to deliver exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and restorative care such as fillings and extractions—all on-site.
Through the Robert Glass Focus on the Children Program, more than 70% of Tri-County Dental’s patients are children. The Mobile Clinic serves 39 schools, with the highest need in Oshkosh, Neenah, and Appleton school districts.
Beyond schools, the Mobile Clinic continues to serve community organizations throughout the year, including Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, and Rawhide Youth Services.
Tri-County Dental relies heavily on community support to sustain both its clinic and mobile services.
