New dental clinic to serve low-income families

Officials say a new dental clinic geared toward low-income families will help address a major need in the Racine area.

Medicaid dental provider Familia Dental is set to open in mid-November in the Racine Centre shopping center at 5201 Washington Ave., Racine County officials announced Monday.

The announcement comes as officials have sought dental solutions for residents with Medicaid — a need that got even bigger after the Racine Community Health Center, 2405 Northwestern Ave., closed earlier this year.

Familia Dental accepts Medicaid, most insurance plans and offers a significant discount to uninsured residents, according to a news release.

“We have a tremendous need for affordable dental care among young children and adults,” County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said in the release. “This dental office is exactly what our community needs.”

The Racine Health Care Network, which provides medical and dental care to uninsured residents, is routinely forced to turn away people with Medicaid or the state-run BadgerCare program, Executive Director Alison Sergio said. And the organization has few local alternatives to suggest to residents, she said.

“We’re so excited to be able to have a place where we can refer people,” Sergio said. “The need is absolutely huge.”

Void left after closure

Officials began discussions earlier this year on how to fill the void left by the Racine Community Health Center, which saw about 6,000 patients for dental work each year.

In the spring, the county joined a National Association of Counties-sponsored plan that gives Racine County residents discounts on dental and health programs.

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The state budget, meanwhile, included a pilot program that increases Medicaid reimbursements to dentists in Racine and three other counties. Officials say low reimbursement rates have been the biggest hurdle to providing dental work to low-income patients.

Familia Dental provides a range of dental procedures and flexible appointment times, according to the release. The company has more than 27 offices open in Texas, New Mexico, Illinois and Indiana.

Delagrave and Dr. Koushon Azad, chief executive officer of Familia Dental, will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday at the Racine Centre site to discuss the clinic’s opening.

“Coming from an underserved background, I wanted to combine my passion for dentistry and the goal of helping others in the community,” Azad said in the release. “We are proud to serve this community and are honored that Racine County will be celebrating our success for many more years to come.”

Source: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/new-dental-clinic-to-serve-low-income-families/article_b5e63a9a-00f3-5bb3-b4be-9d32e1a53024.html

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