NORWALK, Conn; May 19, 2015: Day Street Community Health Center (CHC) recently hosted an appreciation event to recognize six dental specialists and one general dentist from the greater Norwalk area who donated their time to see 150 dental patients from CHC who required specialty care. Over the last three years, these dentists provided more than $178,000 of in-kind services.
Many of the dental patients that come to CHC have no insurance or very limited coverage. When patients are faced with insurance barriers, they will forego the specialty treatment they need. Poor oral health can lead to a multitude of health problems such as endocarditis, cardio vascular diseases and premature birth, or low birth-weight babies.
In February 2012, after learning about the desperate need for specialty dental care for CHC’s patients, a group of dentists, led by Dr. William Fessler (who operates a private family practice in Norwalk) devised an agreement and plan to help these patients. These dentist include Dennis L. Pipher, DMD and Alan B. Rosenthal, DMD of Endodontic Associates of Norwalk; Kevin S. McLaughlin, DMD and Naushad R. Edibam, DMD of Norwalk Oral and Maxillofacial; Anjanette W. Gjertsen, DDS, MS, Microendodontics of Southern Connecticut and Jenny Mathews, DDS, MS, PhD Periodontist.
Then, in April of 2012, Dr. Mathews, Chair of the Norwalk /Westport Dental Society officially commended the participants of this program. “I am thrilled that so many of my colleagues have agreed to be part of such an impactful program. It has been a very rewarding experience for everyone involved,” said Dr. Mathews.
“Day Street CHC offers general dentistry to thousands of people of all ages, who have had difficulty accessing dental care because they are struggling financially. Finding adequate specialty dental care that they can access has been a major barrier for our patients,” said Sharon Song, D.D.S., Day Street CHC’s onsite dental director. “We are thankful for the leadership of Dr. Fessler, and Dr. Mathews, for orchestrating a plan that makes it easy for our patients to access the specialty care they so greatly need.”
“We have assembled a group of dental specialists who are more than willing to help care for those in need of all ages. This group is truly dedicated to giving back to their community and committed to helping people live healthier lives,” stated Dr. Fessler.
The Day Street Community Health Center started as Norwalk Smiles in 2007, offering dental care for all ages. It has been the hub for mobile dental services and behavioral health care for children in 26 locations throughout Norwalk, including chools, pre-school readiness programs, Head Start locations and Norwalk WIC. In October 2010, Norwalk Smiles was officially renamed the Day Street Community Health Center, and added medical and behavioral health services for all ages to become a comprehensive primary care clinic. Day Street Community Health Center also provides diabetes education, women’s health care, nutrition counseling, podiatry and assistance with application for insurance programs.