TRODENT
Five Things
“Uncle Maurice”
New Instrument Management System (IMS) Unit
BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14
IT’S THE HEART OF THE USC MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC FLEET, and after years of crisscrossing SoCal’s freeways, it is ready for retirement. Ostrow recently completed a fundraising campaign to replace its aging Instrument Management System (IMS) unit, the vehicle responsible for storing and sterilizing dental equipment. As the finishing touches are put on the new IMS unit, named “Uncle Maurice” for the family foundation of Ostrow alumni and donors Mark Tarica ’70, DDS ’74 and Samuel Tarica DDS ’72 whose incredibly generous gift — along with many others — helped us reach our goal, here are five things you need to know about the newest addition to the USC Mobile Dental Clinic fleet.
1. THE NEW IMS UNIT, “UNCLE MAURICE,” IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF OSTROW’S ALUMNI, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS, WHO WILL GET A “SHOUT OUT” ON THE VEHICLE.
The initial concept for the fundraising campaign was to inspire 1,000 alumni to donate just $1,000 a piece to help raise $1 million to fund the USC Mobile Dental Clinic, with priority going to funding a new IMS unit. Several donors stepped up to help, many of whom wanted to invest even more toward the effort. To honor all who made Uncle Maurice possible, the names of each donor will be printed on the new IMS unit.
2. UNCLE MAURICE IS 30 PERCENT LARGER, MEANING MORE SPACE FOR ORGANIZATION, STORAGE AND STAFF MEMBERS.
While extra room might seem like a creature comfort, it can be incredibly consequential when it comes to the daily operation of the USC Mobile Dental Clinic fleet. The additional space allows for more staff members to work simultaneously, providing a much more efficient workflow across the mobile dental clinic fleet. Improved efficiency enables Ostrow’s patient care providers to treat even more underserved patients.
3. IT FEATURES UPDATED EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ENERGY EFFICIENT AUTOCLAVE STERILIZERS, DISHWASHERS AND REFRIGERATORS.
The IMS unit will be outfitted with updated equipment, including energy efficient autoclave sterilizers, dishwashers and refrigerators. The upgrades are more than just techy toys to play with, though. With enhanced instrument control systems, the patient care team can see more patients per day, reduce wait times for patients juggling a number of responsibilities and conduct more complex procedures within the mobile clinic without having to refer the patient to an outside oral healthcare partner.
4. THE NEW IMS UNIT COMES EQUIPPED WITH SOLAR PANELS — FITTING GIVEN HOW MANY MOBILE CLINIC EVENTS OCCUR IN SUN-SOAKED AREAS.
Could that constant hum of a generator at mobile dental clinic events become a thing of the past? Uncle Maurice takes a step in that direction, with new solar panels fitted atop the vehicle to capture some of the sunshine that often drenches the Southland for months at a time and turns it into energy, representing financial savings and increased access into more remote communities.
5. UNCLE MAURICE WILL EVENTUALLY BE OUTFITTED WITH SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY, ALLOWING FOR THE SHARING OF ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS AND REFERRALS TO LOCAL DENTISTS.
An upcoming phase of Uncle Maurice’s roll-out will be the implementation of satellite communications to allow for the acquisition and transfer of a patient’s electronic medical records, giving oral healthcare providers the most updated information on the patient’s condition and the ability to refer patients to local oral health professionals or back to specialists at Ostrow when further consultations are necessary.