Public dental health clinic to reopen early next year

June 26, 2009 05:12 pm

— SUNBURY - A public dental health clinic is being planned to address the needs of thousands of Northumberland, Snyder and Union County residents without dental insurance.

An initiative of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, the clinic will be located on Market Street in Sunbury, in the community services building which also houses the United Way office. It is expected to open early next year.

According to United Way president and CEO, Keri Albright, health care officials estimate that up to 20 percent of area adults and children do not have health insurance and do not receive regular dental care.

“A public clinic is desperately needed. We know there are many families without dental care,” said Dr. Philip Sosland, who has practiced dentistry in the area for many years.

To be called the Susquehanna River Valley Dental Health Clinic, this will be a nonprofit charitable operation, with a paid staff and governed by a volunteer board of directors. Eric DeWald, Central Susquehanna Community Foundation CEO, said that a dental clinic “can be self-sustaining” and obtain revenue to support a paid staff. DeWald’s organization helped to develop a similar clinic in Berwick. Operating funds would come from various sources, including fees for services from ACCESS (a public-funded medical insurance for low-income families) and other “managed care” programs, as well as fees based on household income. Also anticipated is support from local charitable foundations and a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

A board of directors has been established and met for the second time last month. The most pressing need for members to consider is attracting a dentist, Albright said. Facilities for the clinic already exist. A state-of-the-art dental office was built on the ground floor of the community services building several years ago, and a clinic had been in operation. However, Albright said it was closed due to the challenges encountered after it lost its full-time dentist.

“We constantly see or hear from people who need dental care -- from the very young to the elderly and those with special needs -- people who cannot afford it,” explained Albright. “Our intent at the United Way is to serve vulnerable populations and find solutions to unmet needs. Right now, there are few alternatives to receive free or low-cost dental care for people in the surrounding area. This clinic must begin operating again.”

During the board of directors’ initial meeting, DeWald presented a feasibility study indicating that the clinic would be expected to serve 325 patients after six months and 650 patients at the end of the first year of operation. Full dental services will be offered, including preventive cleanings, exams and fluoride treatments, as well as fillings, extractions, root canals and periodontal therapy.

For more information about the Susquehanna River Valley Dental Clinic, contact Keri Albright at the United Way office, (570) 988-0993.

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