Southeast Community Health Systems - Mobile Clinic

About Southeast Community Health Systems - Mobile Clinic

Southeast Community Health Systems - Mobile Clinic is part of the federal HRSA community health center program, which means it provides comprehensive primary medical, behavioral, and dental care to anyone in the Independence area regardless of insurance status. The clinic is funded in part by federal Section 330 grants and is required by law to serve patients on a sliding-fee scale calculated from household income and family size. For most families with kids on Healthy Louisiana / LaCHIP or LaCHIP, pediatric dental visits are covered at no out-of-pocket cost.

What pediatric dental services are offered?

As a federally-qualified health center, Southeast Community Health Systems - Mobile Clinic is part of a clinic system that, by federal regulation, must offer the full HRSA-defined preventive and primary dental service set. For children, that typically includes:

• First-visit oral exams for infants and toddlers (recommended by age 1).
• Routine cleanings and prophylaxis every six months for children and teens.
• Topical fluoride application and prescription fluoride for cavity-prone kids.
• Dental sealants on permanent molars to prevent decay in the back teeth.
• Composite (white) and amalgam fillings for cavities, depending on tooth location and clinical judgment.
• Stainless-steel crowns and pulpotomies ("baby root canals") for severely decayed primary teeth.
• Simple and surgical extractions when a tooth cannot be saved.
• Emergency dental care, including same-day pain relief and urgent abscess management.
• Orthodontia referrals when medically necessary (cleft lip/palate, severe malocclusion, traumatic injury).

How to book an appointment

The fastest way to book is to call the clinic directly at (985) 517-8443. Tell the front desk that you're calling about a pediatric dental appointment for your child and provide the child's age. If your child is established with a primary-care provider already at the clinic, mention that — it speeds up intake. If the clinic is fully booked for routine appointments, ask whether they have a kids' dental walk-in day or a same-day urgent slot.

What to bring to the visit

• The child's insurance card (Medicaid, CHIP, or private). Don't have a card on hand? Bring the member ID number.
• A parent or guardian photo ID.
• A recent pay stub or tax return if you're applying for sliding-fee pricing.
• Any dental records you have from a previous provider — x-rays especially can save a re-take.
• A list of the child's medications and allergies, including any over-the-counter products.

What does it cost?

For families enrolled in Healthy Louisiana / LaCHIP or LaCHIP, all preventive and most restorative pediatric dental services are covered at no cost. Families without insurance pay on the clinic's sliding-fee scale, which is recalculated each year based on the federal poverty guidelines and your household income and size. In Louisiana, the sliding-fee scale at most community health centers means a complete pediatric exam, cleaning, fluoride, and necessary x-rays runs $25–$80 out of pocket for an uninsured family — a fraction of the $300+ a private practice would charge for the same visit.

Medicaid & CHIP at Southeast Community Health Systems - Mobile Clinic

Southeast Community Health Systems - Mobile Clinic participates in Healthy Louisiana / LaCHIP, the Louisiana Medicaid program. Smile.LA pediatric dental program: free preventive care and restorative services. If your child is currently uninsured, the clinic's enrollment counselor can typically determine eligibility for LaCHIP on the day of the visit and submit the application on your behalf. Read more about Louisiana Medicaid pediatric dental coverage →