Dental Clinic busy as ever
Nonprofit has new tool to help patients thanks to Foundation
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Clinton County Community Dental Clinic Manager April Hall shows off the clinic's new diode machine, thanks to a Clinton County Community Foundation grant.
MILL HALL -- The Clinton County Community Dental Clinic provides a critical service.
Without this robust nonprofit, many in the county would likely go without dental care.
Take heed: The clinic sees an average of 30 patients a day, or 150 a week.
That is busy.
And that is also why the Clinton County Community Foundation awarded the nonprofit clinic with a $5,128.20 grant to buy a diode machine.
"Grateful" is what Clinic Manager April Hall said she felt upon learning of the grant award.
The diode laser is a least invasive technology used to deliver restorative and preventative dental care.
"The laser will be used to coagulate and cauterize the treatment area as the dentist works. This leads to immediate hemostasis, rapid healing and reduced swelling," Hall, a trained professional dental hygienist, said.
"The treatment provides mostly scar-free wound healing and improved germ reduction. For patients, the use of lasers means less post-operative pain and therefore less need for medication."
The clinic was launched because of need.
Dental care isn't cheap and, in rural areas, it's not always plentiful because of a smaller number of dentists.
Hall said people without dental insurance who'd like to come to the clinic must reside in Clinton County in order to use a sliding scale employed by the clinic.
"Our main focus is to see patients with Medical Assistance, Medicare and CHIP programs," she explained.
"We are very grateful to have the diode laser available for our general dentists to use. This piece of dental equipment will be valuable to our providers now and for those to follow."
The clinic is located in the commercial plaza right in front of Lowe's. Its address is 266 Hogan Boulevard, Suite 6.
Clinic Board President Laurie Weinreb-Welch noted the office has been open since 2009 and serves a very important need.
"We have up to date equipment and a knowledgeable and professional staff that takes great care of our patients," Laurie said.
She noted the office employs a sliding scale when it comes to fees, meaning costs can be based on income for eligible patients without private insurance.
The office is among a few in the region that take people on Medical Assistance.
"And we are very busy," she added.
More information can be obtained by calling the clinic at 570-748-6450, or by sending an email to cccdentalclinic@gmail.com.
For more information on how to support the Foundation, go to www.clintoncountyfoundation.org, or call 570-220-1038.