Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Agreement with TESCO Specialty Vehicles LLC to Provide a Customized Mobile Dental Van
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with TESCO Specialty Vehicles LLC to provide a customized mobile dental van, for the term of August 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $349,873.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo Medical Center’s (SMMC) mobile dental clinic provides essential oral health services throughout San Mateo County, serving vulnerable and underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, low-income families, and residents in remote or hard-to-reach areas. The mobile dental clinic partners with the Navigation Center, shelters, and community-based organizations to offer comprehensive dental care to both children and adults.
To expand the program’s reach and increase access to dental services, SMMC released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase of a new, fully equipped mobile dental van. This additional unit will allow the mobile dental team to serve more locations, reach more patients, and offer services more frequently across the County.
The RFP for the purchase of a new, fully equipped mobile dental van was completed in July 2025 to support this expansion of services.
DISCUSSION:
TESCO Specialty Vehicles LLC (Tesco) was elevated due to its proven experience in designing custom mobile healthcare units, including dental vans, and its ability to meet the program’s technical specifications within budget. TESCO demonstrated a strong understanding of safety-net service delivery models and offered flexibility in customizing the van’s layout and equipment to meet SMMC’s clinical and operational needs. The new mobile dental van will be outfitted with two operatories, a sterilization area, and an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift, ensuring that the unit is accessible and fully functional for comprehensive dental care. By adding this unit, SMMC will be able to improve scheduling flexibility, reduce wait times, and increase outreach efforts in collaboration with community partners.
In addition to expanding current outreach efforts, SMMC dental program envisions leveraging the new mobile dental van in the future to support school-based dental services. While not yet established, this potential expansion would allow the program to deliver preventive care and oral health education directly to students. Integrating school outreach into the mobile dental strategy aligns with SMMC’s long-term commitment to prevention, early intervention, and improving health outcomes for children and families.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The Information Services Department has reviewed and approved the IT component of this agreement.
It is anticipated that at least 78 additional patient visits per month (78 additional patient visits per month x 8 months = 624 additional visits) will receive dental services through the acquisition of this new mobile dental van.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Actual |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
|
Number of additional patient visits per month for dental services through this new mobile dental van |
N/A* |
>624 patient visits** |
*new measure
** SMMC expects to receive the van in November 2025, hence the prediction of a partial year of additional visits (8 months)
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The new mobile dental van will significantly improve access to care by expanding San Mateo Medical Center’s (SMMC) capacity to deliver high-quality preventive and restorative dental services to underserved populations across the County. With the ability to operate at multiple sites simultaneously, the additional unit will enhance outreach efforts, reduce access gaps, and strengthen the dental program’s community presence.
This mobile unit will bring care directly to areas where transportation and mobility are major barriers, particularly for children, older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other populations who may otherwise go without dental care. By bringing services to the community, the program will support continuity of care, reduce emergency dental visits, and increase early intervention.
This investment supports the County’s commitment to expanding access and addressing disparities in oral health outcomes. SMMC’s patients span a wide spectrum of races, ethnicities, genders, and gender identities. In the past 18 months, the largest cohorts of specialty care patients served by SMMC were female (52%), Hispanic or Latino (63%), and primarily Spanish-speaking (55%). The new mobile dental van, equipped with enhanced technology and modern equipment, will enable the care team to better meet the cultural, linguistic, and clinical needs of these diverse communities. Ultimately, this initiative reflects a long-term commitment to improving community wellness, reducing barriers to care, and ensuring that high-quality dental services are accessible to all residents of San Mateo County, regardless of income, housing status, or ability to travel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is August 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $349,873 for the three-month term. Funds in the amount of $349,873 are included in the SMMC FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget.
The cost of the agreement is grant-funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. As a result, entering into the agreement is not expected to cause a net fiscal impact due to the inclusion of those funds within SMMC’s budget.
ATTACHMENT:
RFP Matrix