The Michigan Dental Association Foundation recently presented the Traverse Health Clinic with a $5,000 Health Initiatives grant.
At Traverse Health Clinic, the mission is to “promote access with dignity to comprehensive, affordable health care.” It’s a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides access to affordable health services through community collaboration to people in need in Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties who meet income and asset guidelines.
According to Executive Director Arlene Brennan, the clinic seeks to empower people to help themselves, to take control of their lives and their health. Through a process of coaching and providing education, they are giving people the tools necessary to take control of their own personal health. Interestingly, each patient must donate two hours of community service prior to beginning treatment.
Great things are being accomplished. And now, the Michigan Dental Association Foundation is pleased to present an Oral Health Initiatives grant to the clinic to help it continue its great work.
“Dental needs at Traverse Health Clinic tripled in the past year,” Brennan says. “In response to the staggering need, we have developed a program designed not only to treat, but to get at the root causes of many oral health problems. We believe that proper education regarding oral care will prevent additional dental problems and will positively extend to the educated individual’s family members.”
Patients at the clinic fill out a dental questionnaire prior to receiving education and treatment. This is followed by a one-hour oral health education appointment including a classroom video on oral care, demonstration of proper brushing, flossing and education on the correlation of oral and systemic health.
The funds from the Michigan Dental Association Foundation will be used to purchase an intra-oral camera, large flat screen monitor, and computer. The camera will facilitate classroom education by helping patients see the environment in their own mouth in real time. Hygienists will be able to use the camera and monitor to indicate obvious concerns to patients. Additionally, the camera will demonstrate to patients the efficiency of their brushing technique and bring to light changes needed in daily care. One year later, each patient will be given a follow-up dental questionnaire to determine how personal habits have changed.
Congratulations to Traverse Health Clinic for receiving a Michigan Dental Foundation Oral Health Initiatives Grant! It is serving the community well and providing access to care for many needy people.
The Michigan Dental Association Foundation recently presented the Traverse Health Clinic with a $5,000 Health Initiatives grant.
At Traverse Health Clinic, the mission is to “promote access with dignity to comprehensive, affordable health care.” It’s a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides access to affordable health services through community collaboration to people in need in Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties who meet income and asset guidelines.
According to Executive Director Arlene Brennan, the clinic seeks to empower people to help themselves, to take control of their lives and their health. Through a process of coaching and providing education, they are giving people the tools necessary to take control of their own personal health. Interestingly, each patient must donate two hours of community service prior to beginning treatment.
Great things are being accomplished. And now, the Michigan Dental Association Foundation is pleased to present an Oral Health Initiatives grant to the clinic to help it continue its great work.
“Dental needs at Traverse Health Clinic tripled in the past year,” Brennan says. “In response to the staggering need, we have developed a program designed not only to treat, but to get at the root causes of many oral health problems. We believe that proper education regarding oral care will prevent additional dental problems and will positively extend to the educated individual’s family members.”
Patients at the clinic fill out a dental questionnaire prior to receiving education and treatment. This is followed by a one-hour oral health education appointment including a classroom video on oral care, demonstration of proper brushing, flossing and education on the correlation of oral and systemic health.
The funds from the Michigan Dental Association Foundation will be used to purchase an intra-oral camera, large flat screen monitor, and computer. The camera will facilitate classroom education by helping patients see the environment in their own mouth in real time. Hygienists will be able to use the camera and monitor to indicate obvious concerns to patients. Additionally, the camera will demonstrate to patients the efficiency of their brushing technique and bring to light changes needed in daily care. One year later, each patient will be given a follow-up dental questionnaire to determine how personal habits have changed.
Congratulations to Traverse Health Clinic for receiving a Michigan Dental Foundation Oral Health Initiatives Grant! It is serving the community well and providing access to care for many needy people.