Island Health Care is getting closer to officially expanding its space and services, with a dental center set to open in October and increased primary and specialty care capacity on the horizon.

The federally qualified community health center (FQHC) in Edgartown is a key health care hub on the Island, serving roughly 20 per cent of Islanders in a variety of specialties. Its status as a FQHC means it is available to Islanders regardless of their ability to pay and accepts Medicaid, which 5,000 year-round Islanders are eligible for.

In July, the organization held a happy hour social event at the Boathouse & Field Club in Katama to provide an update on its ongoing capital campaign.

Dr. Aldino Maggiulli will oversee the dental center. — Ray Ewing

The dental facility will be located at Island Health Care’s 1 Mariners Landing location. The organization has also acquired adjacent units there to be converted into space for primary care, behavioral health services and a children’s health center once enough funding is secured.

“We are looking to expand not for expansion’s sake, but rather to be able to meet the ever-increasing needs of our Island community,” said incoming board chair Robin Atlas in an interview with the Gazette.

CEO and founding director Cynthia Mitchell said IHC is at the halfway point of its $6 million fundraising goal, thanks in part to an anonymous pledge to match new donations up to $500,000.

According to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, there is just one dentist for every 1,920 people in Dukes County. There are also currently no dentists on the Island that accept Medicaid. With support from Boston University’s dental school, IHC has spent the last two years making accessible, affordable dental care a reality.

Island Health Care CFO Shimmy Mehta. — Ray Ewing

Dr. Aldino Maggiulli, who will oversee the center, became emotional as he spoke to the crowd about the prospect of expanding access to dental care on the Island.

“We do what we do because we care,” he said. “I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, get to work and make a difference in delivering the best dental care without compromise to the people on the Island.”

With the dental center nearly complete, IHC has set its sights on expanding behavioral healthcare. The organization received a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health last year to provide behavioral services and has since been building out a team to staff it.

Chief medical officer Dr. James Wolff said IHC has recently hired a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Island Health Care currently operates out of an 1,800 square foot space at the triangle in Edgartown. According to CFO Shimmy Mehta, the majority of clinical work is performed in about 300 square feet of space.

“To expand our access to services and to increase the types of services we provide, we desperately needed a bigger and better equipped facility,” Mr. Mehta said.

Ms. Mitchell said the administrative team is still considering what to do with the organization’s Edgartown location after the move to Mariner’s Landing. She said there are talks of converting it into an urgent care facility to fill the Island’s gap of non-emergency, on-demand care.

“Access to behavioral health care, dental care and primary care are some of the most pressing health care needs on the Island right now,” Dr. Wolff said. “It’s a total team effort.”