Mobile dentist bringing care to those in need

(WJBK) - A local dentist is hitting the road on a mission to brighten smiles for those who may not otherwise have access to dental care.

On Wednesday, the truck was parked outside Detroit Recovery Project, a center for people recovering from drug addiction.

The last time 69-year-old Jimmy Watkins was at the dentist was when he was 18. He's afraid of needles and doctors, but when he saw a truck parked at 6 Mile and Cardoni in Detroit., he knew he had to put fear aside.

"As long as I don't have any pain they can take them all out," he said.

Others say it's not fear that keeps them out the dentist chair. Robert Gunnells says it's because it's too much of a hassle--but not today. After kicking his drug addition and recently getting out of prison, he learned that My Urgent Dentistry would be in the commmunity, so he signed up for care.

"Dentures, I ain't got no ... teeth," he said.

The woman behind the mobile dentist, Arestea Kakaris, says too many people don't get dental care simply because they can't get to an office, so they deliver convenience and accessibility. She says her office accepts insurance and provides dental services from A to Z 

"We don't turn people away. If they are in pain we do see them," Kakaris said.