Affordable Dentistry: Dental Clinic For The Uninsured Opens

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Marian Clinic of Topeka recently announced the opening of a dental program located in the lower level of Saint Vincent Clinic, 818 N. Seventh St. in Leavenworth.

An open house for the public will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11.

According to Debbie Sparks, a development assistant, the dental services start today. A professional dental team headed by Dr. Steve Johnson will provide dental care by appointment.

In order to receive services, Sparks said individuals must be living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and be without dental insurance. The payment needed for a visit will typically be $35. She said Medicaid may cover charges for certain services for eligible individuals.

Anyone who wants an appointment or more information should call 1-888-408-5935.

Marian Clinic and Saint Vincent Clinic are affiliates of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System.

Sparks said the new dental program is one part of a statewide effort to improve access to oral health services for the uninsured and the underserved.

According to Sparks, total funding for the project increased to almost $2.5 million with commitments from five Kansas foundations — United Methodist Health Ministry Fund; Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans; Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, Trustee; REACH Healthcare Foundation; and Delta Dental Foundation.

The Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved is coordinating the non-governmental portion of the program.

According to a 2005 report from the Kansas Health Institute, more than 40 percent of adults with family incomes of less than $25,000 had not visited a dentist in more than a year.

Further, 13 percent of adults in the $25,000 or less income category had lost all of their permanent teeth.

In addition to the funding organizations, Oral Health Kansas and the Kansas Dental Organization participated from the beginning in developing the goals and scope of the projects, Sparks said.