 "Adults that are on Medicaid or that are uninsured or underinsured
will now have the opportunity to receive dental services either
through their medical card or on a sliding-fee basis," according to
Mark Hilliard, administrator of the health department. "We have
become aware that there is a large unmet need for dental services in
the adult population in Logan County.""Just within the last few
weeks we have received calls from over 100 adults seeking a dental
provider," according to Dr. Brian Hearring, dentist at the health
department.
Having received grant funding from the Illinois Children's
Healthcare Foundation, the initial emphasis of the dental clinic has
been service to children.
"Appointments for preventative services for children are
schedule(d) out for three months at this time; however, the dentist
has time available to see additional patients for adult restorative
work," Hilliard said.
Hilliard went on to say that the outreach to the children in
Logan County would continue, as preventive dental services promote
and provide good oral health that will protect children from a
future of discomfort and often other chronic diseases well into
adulthood.
Services for adults will include restorative care such as
fillings, extractions and dentures. In the future, adult services
may expand to include crowns and bridges.
[to top of second column]
 |
"Bottom line is that we have an outstanding dental clinic, and we
want to stay as busy as possible to accommodate the underserved
population in the area," said Hearring.
Adults wishing to make appointments may call the Logan County
Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317.
[Text from file received from
the
Logan County Department of Public
Health]
 |
