PRESS RELEASE
Teamwork Award at Heroes in Health Care
Recipients: Bob Barlow, Ex. Dir., Free Clinic of Central Virginia Peggy Whitehead, Ex. Dir., Blue Ridge Medical Center
Until recently, uninsured residents of Nelson County had to drive long distances to Lynchburg or Charlottesville for dental care, if they received it at all.
It all started when Peggy and Bob began to brainstorm about how they could help meet the tremendous need for dental care among uninsured local adults.
Soon, a local taskforce was formed and a plan began to take shape. Before long, a host of local organizations joined the effort.
The Nelson County Health Department started things off with the donation of an unused dental trailer that had been parked at one of the elementary schools, and $2,500 to help repair and relocate it.
The local Rotary Club donated funds to help repair and update the trailer’s old equipment.
The next hurdle was finding a suitable site for the clinic. A local community center offered a plot of land right next to its building so there would be waiting room space and restrooms.
Then, a crew from the Building Goodness Foundation in Charlottesville pitched in and built a handicap ramp for the trailer.
With the facility-related issues addressed, the team ironed out the operational details.The Free Clinic of Central Virginia took the newly renovated trailer under its wing as a satellite, providing malpractice coverage, handling payroll, and ordering supplies.
For its part, the Blue Ridge Medical Center took on the role of accepting referrals and screening for eligibility, collecting the $5 per visit fee, handling appointment scheduling, and day-to-day oversight.
As if meant to be, Dr. Sherwood, a semi-retired dentist who lives just three miles from the clinic, offered his services free of charge two days a week.
Combined grants from three local foundations covered the salary of a dental assistant, and Peggy Saunders, a local, experienced dental assistant, signed on!She took the dental clinic under her wing, setting up patient records, ordering and organizing supplies, and even painting and decorating.
After 15 months of so many working together, the Nelson Dental Clinic opened its doors.
To date, more than 457 patients have 1,151 patient visits valued at $255,000.
The patients couldn’t be happier, and the future looks bright for everyone. Businesses have made donations, a dental hygienist has stepped forward, and two other local dentists are volunteering.
The dental clinic has inspired the community and is a testament to the value of working together.