🔒Dental clinic will fill a need in Waldo County

A new dental clinic in Belfast aims to expand access to comprehensive oral care for residents across Maine's midcoast region, regardless of ability to pay. Penobscot Community Health Care was set to celebrate the opening of the PCHC Seaport Dental Center this morning. Residents of the 40,600-population Waldo County have limited access to dental care, with just one dentist for every 5,741 residents — double the state average, according to a recent study. “Affordable dental options are extremely limited in the midcoast area,” said Lori Dwyer, president and CEO of Penobscot Community Health Care. “Without access, oral disease progresses rapidly and impacts other health scare conditions.” The clinic is located in the  Seaport Community Health Center, on the second floor of the former MBNA bank campus.

Clinic details

The new clinic will operate an eight-chair dental practice and is projected to provide critical care through more than 7,200 patient encounters annually. In addition to routine care, the facility will offer acute and walk-in dental services, significantly reducing reliance on local emergency rooms for dental emergencies. “When we surveyed our patients regarding their biggest health issues, dental care ranked high on the list,” said Dwyer. “The clinic will reduce costly reliance on hospital emergency department visits to treat dental pain and focus on prevention and meeting the need in the area.”

The Seaport Smiles capital campaign, supported by the PCHC Foundation, raised $1 million for the renovations at the Seaport Community Health Center. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, with the support of U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, secured more than $1.3 million in federal funding for the project.

About PCHC

Penobscot Community Health Care is a nonprofit, federally qualified health center founded in 1997. The organization has a total of 20 practices and program service sites, including locations in Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, Belfast and Jackman. Locations offer family medicine, dental care, pediatrics, health care for seniors, mental health and substance abuse, specialty services, pharmacy and health care for unhoused individuals.