MOORHEAD — When the door of one dental clinic closes, another one opens.
The Red River Valley Dental Access Project, a volunteer dental clinic for uninsured and low-income patients, has secured a new home to continue providing urgent walk-in care after abruptly losing a longstanding lease.
It will now operate out of Minnesota State Community and Technical College, 1900 28th Ave. S. in Moorhead.
The clinic received a 90-day notification last fall that it would not be allowed to renew its lease with Family Healthcare, near the law enforcement center in north Moorhead, where it's operated for the past 16 years.
When the new clinic location at the college opens for the first time Tuesday, Feb. 12, there will have been a two-month hiatus since the clinic last offered appointments on Dec. 4.
ADVERTISEMENT
Marsha Krumm, executive director of the Dental Access Project, said during that time span, there were about 80 calls per week from patients while the clinic was closed and searching for a new space.
"We know the need is very much still in the area," Krumm said. "We are beyond thrilled that it worked out so well to partner with (M State). I think our patients are going to really benefit from it."
In 1997, the Dental Access Project was formed to help hundreds of families and children throughout the Fargo-Moorhead region. Many of the patients are homeless, refugees or elderly.
M State has already been providing free dental care through its community clinic, where students are trained. While M State's clinic offers preventative care, serving nearly 800 patients a year on Wednesdays when they give exams, X-rays and cleanings, Krumm said the Dental Access Project only provides urgent care, such as pulling abscessed teeth.
Now on Tuesdays, the Dental Access Project will also operate out of M State's 24-chair clinic. It charges $30 per visit on a first-come, first-served basis.
"It's the perfect situation because we are promoting access to underserved people that don't have a place to go for dental care," said Kris Pladson, director of the dental program at M State. The Dental Access Project has "such a good cause and such a value to the community, and being a community college we like serving the community, too."
There are no out-of-pocket fees for patients covered by Minnesota state insurance at the college's community clinic. Uninsured patients are charged a fee at reduced cost, Pladson said.
Pladson said she was approached by Krumm about forming a partnership and she was aware that the clinic was losing its lease. She thought teaming up would be a great opportunity for students to get more hands-on experience.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Chris Schmaltz, of Northern Lights Dental and a volunteer with the Dental Access Project, agrees it's a win-win situation. Not only is the new location on a bus route and move-in ready, it's almost three-times bigger than the old space at Family HealthCare.
About 50 dentists volunteer with the Dental Access Project, and a handful sign up to serve about eight patients each week.
"We sincerely believe this will be a mutually beneficial relationship in which area dentists can not only serve the underprivileged but also engage with upcoming professionals at the college and help the transition into the workforce," Schmaltz said in a message to The Forum. "We are optimistic for what lies ahead for all parties."
