Sierra Mobile Dental Clinic Forced To Shut Down After Thieves Ransack Vehicle

NEVADA CITY (CBS13) — A charity dental program in the Sierra has been forced to shut down after thieves ransacked their clinic, taking everything from dental drills to children's toothbrushes.

The Winnebago doesn't look like much, but for thousands in the Sierra, it was their only option when it comes to dental care until this week.

Kirsten Valentine showed where everything was.

"What are you going to do with all the dental equipment? Why did you take children's stickers and children's toothbrushes," she said.

It's a devastating blow for the Sierra Family Medical Clinic low- and no-cost dental program. The mobile dental office served thousands of children and adults in the Sierra until thieves broken in.

Dental assistant Elyssa Farabee has been working on the RV for eight years.

"It makes you sick, you know, you just can't believe someone would do that," she said.

More than $30,000 worth of equipment, drills, forceps, crowns, kids' videos and toothbrushes were stolen, along with a laptop.

"We deal with a lot of people that are very appreciative and very grateful, and the schools are very helpful, and it's just that we can't do that anymore, and it's sad that anyone would want to take anything away from children in our community," Valentine said.

While law enforcement investigates, the mobile clinic will be parked, and planned school visits are canceled.

Valentine doesn't know if insurance will cover anything taken from the Winnebago, and they're asking for the community's support in getting them back on the road.

People who can help are asked to call (530) 292-3478.