Highest Award
Highest Award
"The Ben Massell Dental Clinic of Jewish Family & Career Services"
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Fulton County, Georgia, offers comprehensive dental care to metro-Atlantans whose income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Now a program of Jewish Family & Career Services, Inc., BMDC traces its roots to 1911 when philanthropist Morris Hirsch established a health center to provide outpatient medical services to people unable to afford care. The dental program was added in 1929 and the medical clinic closed a few years later leaving the dental component to grow. When the Clinic had to relocate in 1956 and again in 1959, the Atlanta developer Ben Massell was instrumental in securing its new home. The Clinic takes its name from the community's wish to remember and emulate Ben Massell's involvement.
All patients are uninsured. A high percentage are senior citizens and/or homeless individuals who would otherwise have no access to dental care. Individuals are screened for eligibility and a nominal fee of $2 is collected, according to patients' ability to pay. Giving patients this stake in their treatment has proven to dramatically decrease the number of no-shows. Working rotating schedules in a compact space of just over 2,000 square feet, 90 volunteer dentists and five paid allied dental staff provide approximately 13,000 services to at least 5,700 (unduplicated) patients each year. Every dental specialty is represented at BMDC. The value of the dental staff's in-kind contribution is over $730,000 annually. Of seven charity dental clinics in Atlanta, BMDC is the only one that serves the comprehensive dental needs of its clients on-site and serves both HIV and non-HIV infected patients. Prosthodontist Dr. David Zelby the Clinic's Chief of Staff has volunteered with the clinic for more than 26 years.
"The Ben Massell Dental Clinic of Jewish Family & Career Services"
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Fulton County, Georgia, offers comprehensive dental care to metro-Atlantans whose income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Now a program of Jewish Family & Career Services, Inc., BMDC traces its roots to 1911 when philanthropist Morris Hirsch established a health center to provide outpatient medical services to people unable to afford care. The dental program was added in 1929 and the medical clinic closed a few years later leaving the dental component to grow. When the Clinic had to relocate in 1956 and again in 1959, the Atlanta developer Ben Massell was instrumental in securing its new home. The Clinic takes its name from the community's wish to remember and emulate Ben Massell's involvement.
All patients are uninsured. A high percentage are senior citizens and/or homeless individuals who would otherwise have no access to dental care. Individuals are screened for eligibility and a nominal fee of $2 is collected, according to patients' ability to pay. Giving patients this stake in their treatment has proven to dramatically decrease the number of no-shows. Working rotating schedules in a compact space of just over 2,000 square feet, 90 volunteer dentists and five paid allied dental staff provide approximately 13,000 services to at least 5,700 (unduplicated) patients each year. Every dental specialty is represented at BMDC. The value of the dental staff's in-kind contribution is over $730,000 annually. Of seven charity dental clinics in Atlanta, BMDC is the only one that serves the comprehensive dental needs of its clients on-site and serves both HIV and non-HIV infected patients. Prosthodontist Dr. David Zelby the Clinic's Chief of Staff has volunteered with the clinic for more than 26 years.
Meritorious Award
Meritorious Award
"Spanish Catholic Center Dental Clinic"
The Spanish Catholic Center Dental Clinic of Catholic Community Services DC provides oral health services for the low-income, uninsured immigrant community of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With the need for oral health assistance clear from its earliest days, the SCC has operated its Dental Clinic in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, DC since 1975, within the context of SCC's comprehensive outreach services. While the special character of SCC has always been service to the low-income Hispanic community, SCC is open to all persons in need, regardless of race, income, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or religion. Dental care available at the clinic includes emergency services, preventive care, restorations and oral health education. In reaching out to the immigrant population, SCC dental services have improved oral health for over 1,750 people each year.
"Spanish Catholic Center Dental Clinic"
The Spanish Catholic Center Dental Clinic of Catholic Community Services DC provides oral health services for the low-income, uninsured immigrant community of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With the need for oral health assistance clear from its earliest days, the SCC has operated its Dental Clinic in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, DC since 1975, within the context of SCC's comprehensive outreach services. While the special character of SCC has always been service to the low-income Hispanic community, SCC is open to all persons in need, regardless of race, income, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or religion. Dental care available at the clinic includes emergency services, preventive care, restorations and oral health education. In reaching out to the immigrant population, SCC dental services have improved oral health for over 1,750 people each year.
Dental volunteers provided 2,694 hours of volunteer service during FY '05. This includes the work of 39 dentists, five hygienists, a dental educator, a lab assistant and an office assistant. Some 2,524 of those hours were provided by dentists. The District of Columbia Dental Society actively supports SCC. Through both referrals to the clinic during educational programs and also educational activities during clinic visits, SCC activities mutually reinforce the importance of access to continuing oral health care.
Dental volunteers provided 2,694 hours of volunteer service during FY '05. This includes the work of 39 dentists, five hygienists, a dental educator, a lab assistant and an office assistant. Some 2,524 of those hours were provided by dentists. The District of Columbia Dental Society actively supports SCC. Through both referrals to the clinic during educational programs and also educational activities during clinic visits, SCC activities mutually reinforce the importance of access to continuing oral health care.
SCC works to achieve its goals of decreasing dental disease and improving knowledge of oral health through a program sensitive to the social, cultural, economic and other environmental factors that affect the immigrant community's oral health. They conduct oral health screenings for first time and recall patients of all ages, prepare and disseminate culturally appropriate educational materials in various formats and sponsor Spanish language radio and print communications to promote good oral health and oral disease prevention techniques. A large number of dental screenings are done during two dental health fairs in August, with follow-up treatment provided as requested. The Hispanic community is disproportionately low-income, and uninsured. While these groups are geographically distributed throughout the District, over 40% of Hispanics reside in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood where the clinic is located, making it accessible to a significant portion of the target population.
Meritorious Award
SCC works to achieve its goals of decreasing dental disease and improving knowledge of oral health through a program sensitive to the social, cultural, economic and other environmental factors that affect the immigrant community's oral health. They conduct oral health screenings for first time and recall patients of all ages, prepare and disseminate culturally appropriate educational materials in various formats and sponsor Spanish language radio and print communications to promote good oral health and oral disease prevention techniques. A large number of dental screenings are done during two dental health fairs in August, with follow-up treatment provided as requested. The Hispanic community is disproportionately low-income, and uninsured. While these groups are geographically distributed throughout the District, over 40% of Hispanics reside in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood where the clinic is located, making it accessible to a significant portion of the target population.
Meritorious Award
"The Free Clinics' Adult Dental Extraction Clinic"
The Free Clinics located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, addresses the identified community needs of the low-income, uninsured residents of Henderson County. The Free Clinics works collaboratively with the local community health center, hospitals, health department, physicians and dentists to provide needed services that are not duplicated. One of the programs of The Free Clinics is the weekly Adult Dental Extraction Clinic which was begun in September 2002. Using an all volunteer staff, the ADEC provides same-day appointments for adults who need an emergency extraction. Approximately 47% of the patients seen in this clinic state they would have gone to the local hospital emergency department if this clinic did not exist. More than 450 patients are treated through the ADEC each year. Though there is no charge, patients often contribute a few dollars for their care in the donation box.
"The Free Clinics' Adult Dental Extraction Clinic"
The Free Clinics located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, addresses the identified community needs of the low-income, uninsured residents of Henderson County. The Free Clinics works collaboratively with the local community health center, hospitals, health department, physicians and dentists to provide needed services that are not duplicated. One of the programs of The Free Clinics is the weekly Adult Dental Extraction Clinic which was begun in September 2002. Using an all volunteer staff, the ADEC provides same-day appointments for adults who need an emergency extraction. Approximately 47% of the patients seen in this clinic state they would have gone to the local hospital emergency department if this clinic did not exist. More than 450 patients are treated through the ADEC each year. Though there is no charge, patients often contribute a few dollars for their care in the donation box.
Patients with tooth problems were using the local hospital emergency rooms when they had acute tooth pain. Emergency room care, however, is limited to antibiotics and perhaps pain medication. The root of the problem was not addressed. Since the advent of the Adult Dental Extraction Clinic, emergency room visits for dental needs have plummeted. These patients cannot afford adequate dental care; many have never had oral hygiene instruction. The majority of patients have never been to a dentist before they arrive at the extraction clinic.
Patients with tooth problems were using the local hospital emergency rooms when they had acute tooth pain. Emergency room care, however, is limited to antibiotics and perhaps pain medication. The root of the problem was not addressed. Since the advent of the Adult Dental Extraction Clinic, emergency room visits for dental needs have plummeted. These patients cannot afford adequate dental care; many have never had oral hygiene instruction. The majority of patients have never been to a dentist before they arrive at the extraction clinic.
The Free Clinics' Adult Dental Extraction Clinic provides care to adults who have no insurance and earn incomes at or less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Program volunteers are local dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. They come to the evening clinic, after a full day of work, approximately once every six weeks. The Clinic was created to address the lack of acute dental care available for unemployed, uninsured residents of Henderson County.
The Free Clinics' Adult Dental Extraction Clinic provides care to adults who have no insurance and earn incomes at or less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Program volunteers are local dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. They come to the evening clinic, after a full day of work, approximately once every six weeks. The Clinic was created to address the lack of acute dental care available for unemployed, uninsured residents of Henderson County.
Meritorious Award
Meritorious Award
"Keystone Dental Care, Inc."
Keystone Dental Care, Inc. (KDC) provides free dental care on a first-come, first-served basis for homeless and low-income adults (twenty-one years and older) including enrollees in Tennessee's Families First program. With the assistance of agencies like the Northeast Tennessee Regional Public Health offices and community involvement, KDC began treating patients in May 1999. Through the non-profit KDC, area dentists, dental hygiene students and faculty from East Tennessee State University, dental assistants and other volunteers provide preventive and emergency dental care to uninsured adults whose income falls below the Federal poverty guidelines within Johnson City and Washington County. Facilities for the project are housed in a renovated school building that is owned by the City of Johnson City and leased through the assistance of Community Grant Projects awarded to East Tennessee State University. The Community Outreach Partnership Center was given a grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help further the project while the Health Access Initiative Committee provided monies for dental supplies. Numerous supplies and renovation materials were donated through friends of the project and the community.
"Keystone Dental Care, Inc."
Keystone Dental Care, Inc. (KDC) provides free dental care on a first-come, first-served basis for homeless and low-income adults (twenty-one years and older) including enrollees in Tennessee's Families First program. With the assistance of agencies like the Northeast Tennessee Regional Public Health offices and community involvement, KDC began treating patients in May 1999. Through the non-profit KDC, area dentists, dental hygiene students and faculty from East Tennessee State University, dental assistants and other volunteers provide preventive and emergency dental care to uninsured adults whose income falls below the Federal poverty guidelines within Johnson City and Washington County. Facilities for the project are housed in a renovated school building that is owned by the City of Johnson City and leased through the assistance of Community Grant Projects awarded to East Tennessee State University. The Community Outreach Partnership Center was given a grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help further the project while the Health Access Initiative Committee provided monies for dental supplies. Numerous supplies and renovation materials were donated through friends of the project and the community.
Applicants are accepted based on income and a dental assessment. Services primarily focus on the relief of pain and infection to eliminate active diseases and stabilize oral health. The clinic offers preventive services, in addition to basic dental procedures, such as prophylaxis and restoration, and advanced dental services, such as extractions and root canal therapy.
Applicants are accepted based on income and a dental assessment. Services primarily focus on the relief of pain and infection to eliminate active diseases and stabilize oral health. The clinic offers preventive services, in addition to basic dental procedures, such as prophylaxis and restoration, and advanced dental services, such as extractions and root canal therapy.
Initially, Keystone Dental Care, Inc. operated solely through volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants. In late 2004, KDC began employing part-time dentists and is currently working toward employing a full-time dentist in order to satisfy the great demand for free dental services within the area. Volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants continue to assist in meeting the continued demand for services.
Initially, Keystone Dental Care, Inc. operated solely through volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants. In late 2004, KDC began employing part-time dentists and is currently working toward employing a full-time dentist in order to satisfy the great demand for free dental services within the area. Volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants continue to assist in meeting the continued demand for services.
A Board of Directors for Keystone Dental Care, Inc. is responsible for the administration and operation with dentists and volunteers serving on a clinical advisory committee to monitor the facility, infection control, clinical protocol and expendable dental supply purchases. The Board of Directors is comprised of nine to fifteen individuals who employ an Executive Director, a receptionist (who also serves as the patient qualifier), dentists and dental assistants.
A Board of Directors for Keystone Dental Care, Inc. is responsible for the administration and operation with dentists and volunteers serving on a clinical advisory committee to monitor the facility, infection control, clinical protocol and expendable dental supply purchases. The Board of Directors is comprised of nine to fifteen individuals who employ an Executive Director, a receptionist (who also serves as the patient qualifier), dentists and dental assistants.
