Community Health Center of Fort Dodge expands access to care with new mobile dental clinic
Posted on November 18, 2025 in Foundation
Community Health Center of Fort Dodge (CHCFD) celebrated the launch of its new, state-of-the-art mobile dental clinic with a floss-cutting ceremony on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. Speakers included Renae Kruckenberg, CEO of CHCFD, April Schmaltz, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa, Ryan Flaherty, Duncombe Elementary Principal, and Casey Johnson, Fort Dodge Greater Growth Alliance Ambassador.
The new mobile clinic was funded by a $350,000 grant from Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation and will expand the reach of a school-based dental clinic program. The new, 38-foot mobile unit complements portable dental carts with two dental chairs and a small reception area, enabling the team to serve more patients more efficiently and to provide a broader range of services.
“The need for accessible oral healthcare in our community continues to grow,” said CHCFD CEO Renae Kruckenberg. “This new mobile clinic allows us to meet patients where they are, whether that’s in schools, senior facilities, or rural neighborhoods. We’ll be able to deliver quality, integrated care that supports their overall health.”
The Fort Dodge area has seen a rise in the number of residents living below the federal poverty level and without insurance. With few dental providers in the region accepting Medicaid or uninsured patients, CHCFD’s expansion helps fill a critical care gap.
Since 2022, CHCFD has provided preventive oral health services to more than 500 students at Butler and Duncombe Elementary Schools in the Fort Dodge Community School District, utilizing the mobile dental carts. While the program has been effective, the demand for services has outpaced capacity.
“Offering dental care at school is a win for students and parents,” said Ryan Flaherty, Duncombe Elementary Principal. “It removes the stress of finding transportation or taking time off work for appointments and helps kids stay healthy and focused in class.”
In addition to the mobile dental clinic, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation’s grant also funded the purchase of a Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener to provide a quick vision screening during a patient’s visit.
“At CHCFD, we believe in an integrated approach to healthcare,” said Kruckenberg. “If we can provide a dental exam, a vision screening, and a blood pressure check all in one visit, we’re helping patients manage their health more completely, and that benefits the whole community.”
“We’re proud to invest in a healthier Iowa alongside Community Health Center of Fort Dodge,” said April Schmaltz, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa. “Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation applauds CHCFD and its goals to improve access to dental care and oral health education. We encourage local families to get the preventive services they need to stay healthy and active.”
CHCFD serves residents across Webster, Wright, and Cerro Gordo counties, offering integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services to improve community health.