Organizations working together, networking, coordinating, and collaborating can accomplish goals they wouldn't dream of tackling single-handedly.  It starts with identifying a problem and envisioning a solution.  This happened recently at St. Vincent de Paul's Community Assistance Center in Exeter when facing the seemingly insurmountable issue of addressing the unmet dental needs of their client population who are amongst the neediest in the region.

 

The story began in 2013 when Cleo Castonguay, president of the Center attended an oral health event in Portsmouth, convened by the NHOHC through its DentaQuest Foundation building leadership grant.  Castonguay was motivated to attend to seek help with and to bring to light the dire nature of their client's dental problems.  The Center helps people who have no money, health insurance and often no permanent residence.  At the meeting Castonguay heard that a dental van previously used to visit schools was being decommissioned.  He approached participants and asked, "How do I get that van?" and that's when the generosity, philanthropy, support and perhaps a tad of magic began.  First, Core Physicians, an affiliate of Exeter Hospital, donated the dental van to St. Vincent de Paul's Community Assistance Center.  Then, the United Way and Exeter Hospital each donated $10,000 to Families First Health and Support Center in Portsmouth to help fund and staff the van.

 

It took about a year of coordinated efforts but the van opened on October 3rd and is operating on Fridays from 9:15 to 2:30 staffed by a dentist, a dental assistant, a nurse, and care coordinator.  Many of those seeking dental services have not had medical care in so long that the nurse is there to screen patients medically before the dental work is done.  They provide dental exams, X-rays, fillings and extractions at no cost to clients who are homeless or have Medicaid.  According to Terri Burdick, Operations Director at Families First, in the first two months 30 people with dental emergencies had been seen during 33 visits.  Patients are between the age of 18 and 80, with the majority being women over 50.  Soon, they hope to expand services to offer preventive services and to increase operating hours.

 

Interior view - Dentist Chair

St. Vincent's and Families First are providing desperately needed services.  The side effects of dental problems make it difficult to eat, talk chew and swallow; not to mention that missing and damaged teeth lower self-esteem and impair a person's ability to get a job and generally improve their living situation.  In addition, swelling, throbbing pain and fever from a broken or decayed tooth that is left untreated can lead to infection and sepsis that causes other health issues.  According to the CDC, recent studies link oral infection caused by gum disease with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature, low-weight births.  When the van opened, Castonguay recalls seeing "the pain and anguish on the faces of the clients waiting in the lobby for assistance, and then the relief and joy exhibited once they came out of the van."   

Gail T. Brown

NHOHC Director, Gail T. Brown has been selected for the DentaQuest Foundation National Oral Health Connection Team.  Appointees were selected for their skills and experience relating to oral health leadership and connectivity, as well as the potential for their Connection Team participation to support local stakeholders  and advance oral health at the local and national levels. 

Sandi Van Scoyoc

In honor of their founding president Sandi Van Scoyoc, the HNH Foundation Board of Directors has established an annual award to be presented to a NH organization or individual who exemplifies Van Scoyoc's commitment to improving the health of young children in the state.  Nominations are due by February 20, 2015 and the $2500 prize will be awarded at the HNH Foundation Annual Meeting in the spring.  [more]