Miles of Smiles

New mobile clinic provides dental care to children who otherwise might not have received it

Approximately 11,000 children in Allentown need dental care but can't afford it. That's why Lehigh Valley Health Network, Capital BlueCross, Lehigh Valley Health Network's Department of Dental Medicine and more than 40 private and corporate donors are bringing the dentist to them. "Miles of Smiles" -- a dental office on wheels -- rolled into town in March. It serves children at four Allentown elementary schools, The Caring Place Youth Development Center, Casa Guadeloupe and the Sixth Street Shelter.

Everyone at the "Miles of Smiles" kickoff had something to smile about, thanks to Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley and Sodexo. Like they do for many Lehigh Valley Health Network events, both companies provided healthy foods and beverages in-kind to make it successful.

Cola-Cola donated bottled water for the event. "We believe in joining our resources with organizations like Lehigh Valley Health Network that share our goal of improving people's lives," says Joe Brake, vice president and general manager. Lehigh Valley IronPigs mascots Ferrous and FeFe also made an appearance courtesy of Coca-Cola. During the celebration, six front-row tickets to an IronPigs game were given away to a family, courtesy of Brake.

Sodexo, the company that provides the health networks' food services, donated low-fat wraps, apples, pretzels and granola bars. "Like the health network, we promote healthy eating and wellness," says Andy Barsky, Sodexo's senior general manager. "We supply nutritious food to show people the things they should be eating daily."

Barsky also had a personal reason for lending support. Both of his grandchildren were born at the health network. "It was great to see the expertise and compassion the staff gave my daughter, a nervous new mother." he says. "I was never so proud to be part of the Lehigh Valley Health Network team."