Did You Know??
By Kara Dillon, RDH-E
The
dental staff at the Adams County Health Center is pushing
for oral health awareness in our local communities. Oral
health is essential to general health and well being throughout
a person’s life. Dental caries are the most common
chronic childhood disease. According to an Idaho Department
of Health and Welfare Smile Survey in 2001, the rate of dental
disease in Adams County is 15% higher as compared to state
level data. Untreated cavities can cause pain, absence from
school, dysfunction, poor self esteem, and low weight issues.
But how many working families without dental insurance can
truly afford dental care?
Federally
Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in America are standing
together to help families who cannot afford health
services. FQHC’s are non-profit organizations providing
access to affordable, quality health care services nationwide.
Council, Idaho is the home of our local FQHC, called the
Adams County Health Center. Adams County Health Center offers
services such as: family practice medicine, obstetrics, dental
services, mental health services, substance abuse counseling,
and now has an in-house pharmacy called a “tele-pharmacy”.
The tele-pharmacy is open to all people whether or not they
are a patient of Adams County Health Center.
What does this have to do with affordable dental health
care? Did you know that the facility offers a sliding fee
for those who qualify, not only for dental services but for
all services? You may visit Adams County Health Center and
pick up a sliding fee application at your convenience. The
facility also takes Medicare, private insurances, and Medicaid
for adults and children. Adams County Health Center provides
services to anyone who may need care. There are families
traveling from as far as Riggins and McCall to receive health
care services.
Remember,
dental care is just as important as medical care and prescriptions.
At the Adams County Health Center, services
are provided regardless of a person’s social or economic
status. They are here to help you and your family’s
well-being.
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