(AP) – A Kansas City hospital is going on the road to provide dental care to students.

Truman Medical Center says its Lakewood hospital unveiled the Mobile Dental Coach on Monday at an Independence elementary school. Nearly $500,000 was raised over two years to purchase and outfit a 40-foot bus to provide dental screenings, X-rays and treatment for students. The money also will pay to operate the bus.

The Lakewood hospital’s dental practice began providing screenings and basic services to students in the Independence School Districts in late 2011. More than 6,000 students have received care. But until now, that care was provided in whatever space was available in the schools.

Independence superintendent Dale Herl says the mobile dental unit will remove barriers for young dental patients.