SUNBURY — A non-profit dental clinic in Sunbury is changing lives and growing rapidly while facing continued funding needs.
The Susquehanna River Valley Dental Health Clinic opened in 2009 with just 4 dental chairs. Today, they operate with 14 dental chairs on 3 floors of their building, serving over 15,000 Medicaid insured and low-income uninsured patients a year.
Clinic manager Karen Vines shared that the clinic’s impact reaches far beyond cleanings, fillings, and routine dental care, “Studies have shown that oral health affects patients overall health.”
“Bacteria in your mouth from Decay and/or Periodontal Disease can cause other health problems including heart disease. At every visit, education is provided to patients in an attempt to improve overall oral health.”
Vines also recalled one patient for whom they provided life saving help. The doctor noted a lesion on his cheek and felt it was most likely oral cancer, “They called the oral surgeon and expressed to them that this patient was a priority and needed to be seen immediately.”
“The oral surgeon was able to see the patient that same afternoon and begin lifesaving treatment immediately. The patient returned to the clinic 18 months later having had the tumor removed, radiation/chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and in complete remission,” she said.
In order to succeed, the clinic relies heavily on charitable donations to cover the cost of treatment above and beyond what Medicaid reimburses for each procedure. The Medicaid reimbursement is approximately 1/3 of what private insurance companies reimburse for procedures.
Since they only treat Medicaid and low-income uninsured patients, who are billed at the Medicaid reimbursement rate and pay only $100 towards the cost of their care, the shortfall is tremendous.
The clinic is open four days a week, Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 5 PM. Find out more about the Susquehanna River Valley Dental Health Clinic at SRVDHC.org or by calling 570-286-7500.
