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Creating good smiles, better health goals of Northwest Colorado dental services

Sasha Nelson
The community is invited to a mixer hosted by Northwest Colorado Health to introduce their expanded oral health care services. Pictured at the dental clinic, from left, Business Development Director Janie Dunckley, Penny Copeland, Yesenia Marin, Bryanda Chacon and Dr. Clifford Chapin.
Sasha Nelson
If you go Chamber Mixer hosted by Northwest Colorado Health What: The Craig Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors invite the public to a Business After-Hours Mixer hosted by Northwest Colorado Health to celebrate the expansion of their dental services at the Dental Clinic in Craig. There will be tours, refreshments, giveaways and fun. When: 5 to 7 p.m. on June 8. Where: Northwest Colorado Health Dental Clinic, 485 Yampa Ave., Craig. Cost: The event is free and open to everyone. The Chamber would appreciate people planning to attend, please RSVP by calling 970-824-5689.

Expanded oral health services are helping more people smile.

As part of its effort to reach new patients, Northwest Colorado Health is hosting a Craig Chamber of Commerce mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Dental Clinic at 485 Yampa Ave., Craig.

Information gathered by NCH indicate that about 90 percent of people in the area already have, or are at a high-risk for developing caries (infections in teeth) that along with periodontal disease (infections of the gums and bone) impact their overall health.

“There is a very clear connection between chronic periodontal disease and inflammation and heart attacks and stroke that might lead to reduced life span. That’s why avoiding periodontal disease and caries all through life is important,” said NCH Health Center Director Gisela Garrison.

Ideally, good oral health starts before birth and continues with regular preventative health throughout life.

“Oral health starts with pregnancy… chronic infections in the mother affect the health of the baby in reduced birth weight and early deliveries,” Garrison said.

From the first tooth, providers at NCH educate on the importance of baby teeth.

“They are a placeholder for permanent teeth, they are needed for the child to develop good eating habits. Also, mouth pain is the most frequent cause of absences at school,” Garrison said.

Twice a year screenings and cleanings are recommended to diminish or eliminate the need for restorative care, but the region has had few low cost options for oral health services.

“There are a lot of ‘train wreck’ mouths in this community. This impacts self-esteem, self worth, and the ability to find a job. We have to get a handle on it and support good smiles,” Garrison said.

A merger between Northwest Dental Coalition and Northwest Colorado Health completed March 20 with patient records integrated Thursday.

“All our patients have more comprehensive care and we are working on connecting the dots,” said NCH Director of Business Development Janie Dunckley.

Connected care plays an important role in health services that seek to treat the whole person.

“We’ve brought dental into the fold because it is part of your whole health,” Dunckley said and then shared an example: “Let’s say a we see a diabetic patient that hasn’t been seen by a medical provider in awhile. We might provide a referral to get them back into the medical provider.”

Now, low cost dental services are available to more people of all ages and incomes.

“We have integrated dental hygiene in both medical clinics and offer a more robust after hours allowing medical providers to help in the interim by providing antibiotics or pain management,” Dunckley said.

They plan to grow further by adding a Dental Clinic Manager and per diem Dentist and are accepting new patients for their expanded dental services, said Dunckley.

Northwest Colorado Health accepts most insurance, including Medicaid, and treats all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

To make an appointment for preventative dental services, call the medical clinics in Craig at 970-824-8233 or in Steamboat Springs at 970-879-1632. For comprehensive dental services call the Dental Clinic in Craig at 970-824-8000.

Contact Sasha Nelson at 970-875-1794 or snelson@CraigDailyPress.com or follow her on Twitter @CDP_Education


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