Medical/Dental Bus Ministry
The Medical/Dental Bus Ministry of North Carolina Baptist Men began in 1989 to help the physical and spiritual needs of those in your community. NC Baptist Men offer the use of the medical/dental buses to Baptist and non-Baptist churches and service organizations within North Carolina who wish to reach out to people in need. Patients targeted through this ministry may include people without insurance, the impoverished, Hispanic and other ethnic groups, migrant workers, fair workers, the homeless, the elderly, and more.

The medical/dental buses, manufactured by Blue Bird, are 40 feet long. They have been customized as medical/dental offices by L&S Custom Coaches in Florida. Each bus contains two fully equipped dental operatories, x-ray equipment, autoclave, ultrasonic cleaner, dental instruments, and supplies. Each bus has its own generators or can be run by electricity from an outside source. The bus has its own water supply and gray water storage tanks.

Medical and eye exams can be performed on the buses also. Ophthalmic equipment, eye charts, and limited medical supplies are on board.

Responsibilities of the Church or Other Sponsoring Organization

1. Enlist volunteer staff (dentists, nurses, interpreters, counselors, and general helpers) to work the clinic.
2. Remit a $200.00 deposit to NC Baptist Men to reserve your date. This fee will be applied toward the total costs of the clinic. (Charges for using the medical/dental bus include: a small fee per patient to help offset the cost of materials used in the bus; roundtrip mileage for the bus from Cary to the clinic site; reimbursement for driver's overnight accomodations and meals (if necessary), use of the onboard generator (if necessary)).
3. Identify the target patient group and how to reach them.
4. Make arrangements fo rclinic site: parking for bus, electricity, etc.
5. Make an appointment schedule, hold screenings, and register patients.
6. Consider offering childcare.
7. Consider an evangelical witness, food or snacks, hygiene kits, etc.

Personnel
The medical/dental bus ministry employs one full time coordinator in the office of NC Baptist Men in Cary. In addition, there are volunteer hosts/drivers who drive the bus to and from each site and assist during the clinic. The sponsoring organization that reserves the bus is responsible for enlisting volunteer professionals (dentists/assistants) to perform all medical/dental procedures. The bus drivers/hosts are trained in safety and operation of the bus and dental equipment. Numerous laypeople are needed to assist with planning, registration, language interpretation, and counseling.