C MMUNITY HEARTBEAT SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

By Lisa Sydnor

The D-DENT mission is to improve the overall health of Oklahomans by improving their oral health. It is a dental facilitating agency. This innovative organization, led by an active Board of Directors, mobilizes a state-wide network of dentists and other dental professionals who volunteer their time to serve Oklahoma’s most fragile citizens. Services are provided at no cost to clients accepted into the program. While dentists volunteer their services, D-DENT pays all lab bills associated with the client’s treatment. These fees include dentures, partials, crowns, and bridges. Over the past thirtyseven years, D-Dent has developed a strong collaboration of dentists, dental labs, and community referrals, allowing the organization to grow into a premier provider of dental services to the target population.

D-DENT’s goal is to provide oral health access and preventative dental education to Oklahomans in need. They provide dental education, enlist and support volunteer dentists and hygienists, and connect them with people in need.

Lack of access to quality dental healthcare impacts families, employers, the community, and the uninsured individual. Poor oral health affects the circulatory system and can be a sign of life-threatening illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

The Restorative Dental Care program is the foundation of the organization. Through this program, they offer hope to anyone in need of oral health care and full mouth restorations to those who are eligible.

The Comprehensive Care Program has two components: • Direct Services: D-Dent’s experienced staff coordinates the efforts of over 460 volunteer dentists, dental labs and suppliers. Each dentist sees up to 4 clients a year and participating dental labs provide a discount for all prosthetic devices (crowns, bridges, partials and dentures) necessary for good oral health. The target population includes the elderly (60 and older), disabled, veterans, and people with special needs (cancer patients, transplant cases). All recipients must be uninsured and low-income.

• Case Management-Indirect services: D-DENT provides Oklahomans in need of oral healthcare with information regarding available low-income and/or free dental clinics near their area of residency; increasing access to dental care in order to help improve the oral health of Oklahomans statewide.

They do this by providing referrals to low-cost or free dental clinics near their area of residency to those who do not qualify for the restorative program. Applications are sent to prospective clients that might qualify for services through our restorative dental care program.

A Dental Hygienist provides oral healthcare tools (toothbrush, floss, toothpaste) and educational presentations regarding the importance of daily oral hygiene to the youth, elderly, and staff in living facilities, group homes, schools, daycares, and WIC clinics. Where relevant, the care of dentures is also addressed and free denture-care kits are provided.

D-DENT has matched over 18,750 patients with Volunteer Dentists and their staff for oral health care. The value of the services provided exceeds $27,500,000.

D-DENT contact information: Karen Chadwell, Executive Director, (405)424-8092; Karen. chadwell@d-dentok.org, (405)424-8092. Website: www.d-dentok.org.

HERE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY Plan Of Care

An individualized plan of care is developed for each patient, identifying his/her special medical and physical needs and strengths.

Intensive rehabilitation

Our center’s progressive treatment program is ideal for those recovering from surgery, illness or injury. We use an interdisciplinary team approach to manage the physical and emotional care needs of our patients.

Specialized Nursing Care

The transition from hospital to home is further enhanced by a nursing staff trained and experienced in both medical management and rehabilitation.

Following physician’s protocols, our professional nursing team provides medical assessment and monitoring, medication and pain management as well as rehabilitative support.

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