Delta Dental grant brings Molar Express children’s dental care to Pawtucket and Central Falls

Molar Express Initiative to expand into Blackstone Valley, providing on-site, Comprehensive Oral Health Care to youth in need – Grant funding from Delta Dental of Rhode Island helps school-based, mobile dental clinic add service locations in Pawtucket and Central Falls

The Molar Express – a school-based pediatric dental program serving communities in need across Rhode Island – announced it is expanding into the Blackstone Valley this week.

Together for the announcement was United States Senator Jack Reed, Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa, Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and several other community leaders.

The Molar Express is a nonprofit collaboration launched in 2007 that provides comprehensive dental services to Rhode Island youth, the vast majority of whom rely on Medicaid and struggle to reliably access dental care elsewhere.

The initiative utilizes its Ronald McDonald Care Mobile – a fully equipped, 40-foot mobile dental clinic – to provide immediate, on-site oral health care to Rhode Island children at participating schools, head start programs and other community-based settings.

“The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile – Molar Express is pleased to welcome Blackstone Valley Community Health Care to our partnership,” said Tara Pratt, Director of Dental and Mobile Health Programs for Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) and Operations Director for The Molar Express.

“Together with Ronald McDonald House Charities of New England (RMHCNE), Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP), and East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), we look forward to expanding access to vital dental services for the Blackstone Valley community – and we thank Delta Dental of Rhode Island for their generous support in making this expansion a reality.”

“This tremendous community partnership is bringing high-quality dental care to more Rhode Island kids in need,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. 

“By expanding into the Blackstone Valley, The Molar Express will help brighten the smiles of students across the state and ensure their families can conveniently and efficiently get them to the dentist when they need to.” 

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“The Molar Express is more than a mobile dental clinic—it’s going to be a lifeline for so many families in our city who have waited far too long for basic care. Too many children in Central Falls have gone without preventive dental services simply because access wasn’t there,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera.

“Thanks to the generosity of Delta Dental of Rhode Island, the leadership of Blackstone Valley Community Health Care and Comprehensive Community Action Program, and the dedication of The Molar Express partners and community, that’s finally changing. This partnership is an investment in our children’s health, their confidence, and their future, and I’m so grateful.”

“Kids and smiles just go together, and that’s why we are so grateful to Delta Dental and the community partners who operate The Molar Express for bringing the mobile pediatric dental clinic to Pawtucket,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien.

“Thanks to the Molar Express, more of Pawtucket’s young children and students will be able to see a dentist, have their teeth cleaned, and learn about proper dental hygiene. This is a great win for community health in Pawtucket and we look forward to seeing the Molar Express at locations across the city over the coming months.” 

The Molar Express partners

The Molar Express is operated by provider partners Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP), East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), and – new this year – Blackstone Valley Community Health Care. Supported by grant funding provided by Delta Dental of Rhode Island and a new provider partnership with Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, The Molar Express will add a series of service locations in Pawtucket and Central Falls to its schedule this summer.

“By meeting Rhode Islanders where they are and providing on-site care, The Molar Express offers a vital service to vulnerable children and young adults across Rhode Island in need of critical dental services,” said Joseph R. Perroni, President & CEO, Delta Dental of Rhode Island. “We are proud to continue our support of this proven program as it expands care into Pawtucket and Central Falls, and we thank all involved in the initiative for their work in improving the lives of young Rhode Islanders all across the state.”

“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this exciting collaboration with the Molar Express. Yesterday’s ribbon cutting was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when organizations unite to advance community health,” said Dr. Cristina Pacheco, CEO, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care. “The energy and enthusiasm for this program is a reflection of the deep value of making dental care more accessible for all.”

In 2024 alone, the Molar Express treated nearly 1,500 patients across the state, 96 percent of whom were either insured through Medicaid or uninsured.

The Molar Express’s 2025-26 schedule of school-based visits will be made available in the coming months. More information on the Molar Express can be found at www.molarexpress.org.

About Delta Dental of Rhode Island

 Delta Dental of Rhode Island and its subsidiaries provide access to affordable dental and vision care for more than 660,000 members. Headquartered in Providence, R.I., Delta Dental of Rhode Island is the state’s leading dental insurer and is committed to ensuring accessible, affordable dental care for all Rhode Islanders. For more information about Delta Dental of Rhode Island, visit deltadentalri.com.