The Island Health Care Dental Center began seeing patients last week. The four-chair clinic, located at Mariners Landing in Edgartown, is part of Island Health Care’s mission to increase its primary care and medical services for both children and adults.
The project first received federal funding three years ago, according to Island Health Care’s CEO Cynthia Mitchell. Through a $500,000 grant from MV Youth and other donors, the organization looked to create a new dental clinic to help provide better preventative care.
“As time went on, we purchased property for it, over the course of the three years we have built it out,” Ms. Mitchell said.
As of Tuesday, there were already 1,200 people on the waitlist for the clinic.
“The need for dental services in this community matches or exceeds any other health-related need,” Ms. Mitchell said. “The waitlist is a testament to how many people need it. We are thrilled to finally be able to begin to do that work.”
She added that patients will only be seen if they sign up through the waitlist and that people do not have to be treated by Island Health Care in order to qualify for the dental clinic.
According to the Island’s statistical profile, published by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission last year, there is one dentist for every 1,920 people in Dukes County. The local ratio is lower than both the state, which has one dentist for every 930 people, and the country, which has a dentist for every 1,380 people.
Dr. Sidrah Rehmand, a dentist and periodontist at the center, said that the first three to six months will be focused on working through the wait list to begin teeth cleanings and X-rays.
“Initially, we are focused on seeing as many patients as we can,” she said.
Three patients were seen on Tuesday and four on Wednesday, according to the Island Health Care’s chief data and information officer, Joan Menard. Once the center is at full capacity, it should be able to see 15 to 20 patients a day.
“As soon as we’re comfortable, we’ll ramp up,” Ms. Menard said.
Ms. Mitchell says that once the center has hired more employees and is operating at a full schedule, they will be able to service approximately five thousand patients a year.
“There are arguably more people in need than that, but as we get better and more efficient and have a full staff, we’ll be able to do more than that,” she said.
The clinic is open five days a week, eight hours a day. Ms. Mitchell said they are planning to add evening hours and weekend appointments once they have more employees.
Dr. Aldino Maggiulli will oversee the clinic.
“We were waiting for this milestone for three years and we are so happy,” Dr. Maggiulli said. “We’re finally here and opening. It is so worth it.”
Comments (4)
Comments
Comment policy »