On June 29, Waldo County General Hospital cut the ribbon for Waldo County Dental Care (located on the first floor of 125 Northport Ave. the new building across the street from the hospital).
Cutting the ribbon for Waldo County Dental Care were, from left, Michelle Gallant, Registered Dental Hygienist; Belfast Public Health Nurse Shannon Robbins; Dale Kuhnert, Waldo County Healthcare Board of Directors; and Dr. Allison Piper, a dentist practicing with Dr. John Slaughter of Belfast. Kuhnert told the crowd at the ribbon cutting that this is probably the only dental care office with a hospital employed hygienist in the state.
This facility will provide dental care to qualified individuals in need. And we believe the need is great.
Among the key participants in getting Waldo County Dental Care off the ground were local dentists Dr. John Slaughter and Dr. Allison Piper, far left, hygienist Michelle Gallant RH, fifth from left, and sixth from left, Shannon Robbins RN, Belfast Public Health Nurse. In the second row is Director of Operations Dan Bennett. Also receiving credit from Dale Kuhnert, WCGH Board of Directors, were Mark Biscone, Executive Director, and local dentist Dr. John Lewis and Orthodontist Dr. Ed Zanca.
The Registered Dental Hygienist at Waldo County Dental Care will do dental cleanings, x-rays, screenings, fluoride treatments, sealants, temporary fillings, oral health instruction, and a referral for further care by a dentist, if needed.
Waldo County Dental Care has two dental chairs ready for patients.
To qualify, an individual must:
• not have seen a dentist in the past 12 months;
• live in Waldo County;
• meet federal income guide lines (for family of four that is $41,213); and
• be at least age 18.
Depending on the family’s income level, there is a sliding co-pay of between $10 and $20.