PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire - April 30, 2009) - Medical Teams International provides mobile medical and dental services to underserved populations in multiple communities across Oregon and Washington, but its aging fleet of 10 vehicles made it difficult to meet a growing demand for services. Thanks to a handful of special donors, MTI was recently able to purchase a new, 37-foot, two-operatory mobile dental clinic from Jasper, Texas-based Mobile Specialty Vehicles, Inc. The new vehicle will enable MTI to expand its area of service in northern Tacoma.

"The new vehicle will make a significant impact on our community," said Steve Vickers, Director of the Mobile Dental Program. "We rely on volunteers to staff our outreach efforts, and giving them a reliable vehicle with more headroom, a larger generator, and more space overall will help us retain and recruit volunteers. The old vehicle was only 30-feet long, so the spacious cab in the new vehicle will put patients more at ease."

Vickers said more than 300 dentists, hygienists and dental students volunteer for MTI each month. With the new vehicle, MTI will be able to add another 50 adults and children per week to its capacity. The older vehicle will be used to service a new community, further expanding MTI's reach.

"For 20 years, MTI has offered dental services across northern Oregon, but the need is growing," said Vickers. "One in three residents in the Portland area is without dental insurance. For those with dental insurance, high out-of-pocket costs are keeping some of them from seeking care, so they put off going to the dentist. Fifty percent of our clients have significant dental problems by the time they come to see us. Most of the time we are focused on urgent care, pain relief and restorative care."

Vickers said the new mobile dental clinic will help MTI deliver on its mission, but he said it could have 500 new mobile clinics and still just scratch the surface.

MTI is a 30-year-old 501 3(c) organization. It provides medical and dental services domestically and internationally, working with faith-based agencies and charities. MTI's dental clinic operates 4 days per week, 50 weeks per year. To contribute to MTI, contact: Steve Vickers, 503/953-2123 or svickers@medicalteams.org.

"One of the most gratifying aspects of our business is that we are meeting crucial health and safety needs in the communities that purchase our vehicles," said Glen Henderson President & CEO of Mobile Specialty Vehicles. "Despite a down economy, our company continues to grow, and we're able to provide a vehicle that has a long-lasting impact on the communities they serve." To contact Mobile Specialty Vehicles call 800-844-5047 ext. 209 or email glen@msvglobal.com

Mobile Specialty Vehicles is the premier producer of commercial specialty vehicles. Each vehicle is built from the ground up and made for a life of service. MSV provides mobile vehicles for all uses, but specializes in: mobile command centers or communications centers, EOD, SWAT, mobile health care vehicles, blood mobiles, mobile mammography, PET, CT and mobile dental facilities.