The Northeast Wisconsin (N.E.W.) Community Clinic is bringing its wellness program to neighborhoods with its new mobile clinic.

N.E.W.’s mobile clinic will provide basic dental and medical services to uninsured and underinsured northeastern Wisconsin residents.

N.E.W. Clinic’s dental director, Dr. Karen Schoenike, said dental exams are just one of the services offered inside this hospital on wheels.

“We will certainly offer limited exams, emergency exams, we do cleanings, we will offer fillings, and certainly, perhaps even simple extractions,” Schoenike said.

Schoenike said something as small as a tooth infection can become a major health problem.

“Dental infections are very important to take care of early on,” Schoenike said. “You certainly can end up with a systemic infection. And that is not what we want to see.”

Many patients need more than a dental exam. Kim Franzen, CEO of the N.E.W. Clinic, said the two bays inside the trailer can offer other health services.

“Those services include our medical services, dental, behavioral health and [Women Infant Children] W.I.C. services [and] can all be provided via our mobile unit,” Franzen said.

In addition to urgent care, wellness check-ups, vaccinations and preventative care, Franzen said this bus also provides an often overlooked but important part of health care.

 “Lifesaving services can also include behavioral health services. We know that our mental well-being is very important to address,” Franzen said.

Schoenike said she hopes those who don’t have access to basic health care will now know they have some support.

“We’re doing the great thing to really wrap our arms around the community,” Schoenike said.

N.E.W. Community’s mobile clinic will offer services year-round with the goal of helping 700 patients a year.