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Dental Hygiene Services “Walk-in Day” in Carbondale
Honesdale, PA (July 9, 2018)— Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner Lori Wood has provided preventive mobile dental services on a monthly basis at the Carbondale Family Health Center, located at 141 Salem Avenue for more than two years. However, on Thursday, July 26, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, she’ll see patients on a first-come, first-serve basis—without an appointment. Dental Hygiene services limited to cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and x-rays will be offered. Most dental insurance is accepted. Additionally, Outreach and Enrollment Counselors will be onsite to assist patients in determining if they qualify for Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers’ (WMCHC) sliding fee scale. It’s all part of the first-ever “Dental Walk-In Day.”
“This one-day outreach is planned with convenience and affordability in mind,” stated Wood, who is also a Community Dental Health Coordinator employed by the Together for Health Dental Center. “We want to encourage good dental health with our mobile dental hygiene services,” Wood continued, “and, at the same time, raise awareness about our sliding fee services for those who need help covering the cost of their treatment.”
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), WMCHC utilizes the federal sliding fee program, which is granted based on a patient’s income. Normally, after completing an application and providing proof of income individuals have a 10-day wait to receive the status of their application. With counselors onsite, acceptance may be given on-the-spot.
“It’s crucial that anyone wishing to apply for the sliding fee scale bring proper proof of income with them on July 26th, stated Rebecca Mead, outreach and enrollment, WMCHC. “If not, we cannot process the application that day.” Supporting documentation of income includes the following: Income Tax Return (most recent, unless income has changed then 2 months paystubs); Social Security Award Letter; Unemployment Statement; Pension Award Letter; Copy SNAP benefit and/or cash assistance letter.
“Dental Walk-In Day” is being sponsored in part by Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania. Aetna donated a set of mobile equipment to WMCHC as a way of increasing accessibility to preventive dental services to those in underserved areas—not just patients who are members of their plan. A representative of Aetna will be on hand July 26th with giveaways including toothbrushes and two-minute timers.
“We’re excited to partner with Wayne Memorial as one of our wonderful FQHC partners to help them reach thousands of families in such a meaningful way through portable and easy access to dental care,” said Jason Rottman, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania.
For more information about Dental Walk-In Day, please call the Together for Health Dental Center at 570-251-6534.
Photo: Shown following a planning meeting for “Dental Walk-In Day” to be held Thursday, July 26th at the Carbondale Family Health Center are, left to right, Laura Resti, outreach and enrollment counselor, WMCHC; Lori Wood, RDH, PHDHP, CDHC, Together for Health Dental Center and Rebecca Mead, outreach and enrollment counselor, WMCHC.
