In the few weeks since the Lackey Free Clinic in Yorktown hired its first staff dentist, the wait list for care has decreased significantly. Similarly, the opportunity to move from strictly crisis care to providing regular oral health checkups and preventative maintenance is now within sight.
Williamsburg resident Brooke Hasenfelt, 30, had volunteered at the clinic for eight months when she learned of the job opening. Funded by a grant from the Williamsburg Health Foundation and the Virginia Health Care Foundation, Hasenfelt now works 20 to 25 hours a week alongside two hygienists and a dental assistant. Up to 16 volunteer dentists continue to fill in at other times.
After graduating from dental school at Howard University, Hasenfelt opted for a one-year residency in general dentistry in rural North Carolina, where she learned about the needs of underserved populations in remote areas. It provided a good introduction to her work at Lackey, where the faith element also provided a draw. “The biggest thing for me was to be in a Christian atmosphere. Everyone’s so kind, they really love the patients,” she said.
Each day at Lackey, Hasenfelt and the staff treat about 20 dental patients between them, with many returning for repeat care.
“We do a lot of fillings, a lot of extractions, along with regular and deep cleanings,” she said. “We see a lot of tooth infections — and a lot of periodontal disease. We can get it under control if they come back often enough.”
Once patients have completed a treatment plan, they can be put on a six-month schedule for cleanings. “Most have been without dental care for at least five years. It’s not a surprise if it has been 10 or even 20 years,” said Hasenfelt. “They’re receptive to treatment and always so grateful. Most have been in pain for years.”
Hasenfelt enjoys being able to spend more time with each patient than she could in private practice. Lackey treats the uninsured who meet certain low-income requirements and all patients go through an initial screening for eligibility along with a medical check-up.
Medical director Ralph Robertson sees great benefits in dentists and doctors working alongside each other in the same building.
“I got a curbside diagnosis, something I would never have thought of,” he said, referencing a patient who presented earlier in the day with cellulitis in the cheek. The patient was immediately referred to a volunteer oral surgeon in the community. “I love having dentists here,” he said, noting the connection between oral health and the control of chronic disease, particularly heart conditions and diabetes.
With the expansion of the clinic building in 2013 from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet, the clinic became a medical home to 1,500 patients, including 14 specialty clinics and behavioral health services, said Grace Rutledge, assistant director of development. More than 300 volunteers give their time and expertise to provide almost $750,000 in services each year, according to Kim Spencer, director of volunteers.
At the same time, the “dental closet” was replaced by an entire wing that houses five dental chairs with full equipment and digital X-ray capabilities. Board chairman Bill Griffin is the dental director and also volunteers his services.
Along with the expanded capacity, dental patient visits increased from about three patients a month to about 100 visits a month, according to Rutledge. Since Hasenfelt started in September, those visits have risen to almost 300 monthly.
There are 200 on the waitlist, Rutledge added, commending a volunteer partnership with Thomas Nelson Community College that rotates volunteer hygienists through the clinic. “We still need more dentists, assistants and hygienists,” she said, citing few other resources in the community and the expense of dental care. “At the emergency room, all they can do is give them pain medications and antibiotics.”
Though staff has the expertise, currently the clinic doesn’t offer root canals, bridges, crowns or dentures. “We’d like to do dentures and partial dentures. A diabetic patient with no teeth affects their whole nutrition,” said Hasenfelt. She’s hoping that in the future, the dental clinic will be able to add more services that require more time and funding.
Salasky can be reached by phone at 757-247-4784.
Dental services
Lackey Free Clinic now has a staff dentist, funded by grants from Williamsburg Health Foundation and Virginia Health Care Foundation.
Call the clinic for hours and eligibility requirements, 757-886-0608, ext. 400; or go to the web site, http://www.lackeyhealthcare.org. Lackey Free Clinic, 1620 Old Williamsburg Road, Yorktown.
