Oral Health: Organizations working to improve access
Trending
It's an old punchline, but one rooted in truth. West Virginia is the butt of jokes about teeth, dentistry and oral health because we consistently rank at or near the bottom of nearly every data set that is studied on the subject.
Access and affordability are a big part of the problem; as are our habits and attitude toward taking care of our health, in general.
But community partners are working to change that. In Wirt County, Coplin Health Systems has received a more-than $115,000 grant from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health to expand its dental care capacity and improve access for patients of all ages.
According to Coplin, the money will help address the limited provider availability and transportation concerns that keep some patients away.
The money will help build new dental workspaces and equipment at Coplin's Wirt County dental site, which, in turn, will be able to serve more patients, reduce wait times, and increase availability of preventive and restorative services.
"This investment allows us to significantly expand dental services in Wirt County and meet a growing need for accessible, high-quality oral health care," said Rob Dudley, chief executive officer of Coplin Health Systems.
For his part, Highmark West Virginia President Jay Sheehy understands the grant is an investment that will "remove significant barriers to care."
Coplin will also continue its mobile dental program to bring oral health care to children throughout the Wirt County Schools district.
With these two determined community partners working together on the problem, oral health care outcomes will no doubt begin improving in Wirt County.
Now, let's hope the teamwork inspires organizations across the state to do the same.