After Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, Direct Relief partnered with the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Foundation (IPI) to increase access to medical care for people living throughout the affected area.

One of the collaborative projects was a mobile medical van focused on providing dental care to underserved communities. We’re happy to announce that as of this week, the van is ready to roll!

With support from a Direct Relief grant, the team at the IPI Foundation – based in Cebu City – worked diligently over the last few months to design, fabricate, and equip the van for medical missions.

The mobile medical van will be staffed by volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to provide free medical and dental care to typhoon survivors, an estimated 50 percent of whom cannot afford to pay for treatment.  IPI estimates that the van will serve 200 people per month.

The project will initially focus on the Eastern, Central, and Western Visayas, but will be open for use throughout the country.

Check out the video below (Happy Teeth Project), it’s certainly something to smile about.