H A R R I S B U R G S M I L E S us in our initiative ,” Dr . Gould said . “ All we need now are the HADS volunteers to pull our network together .” Members of this new coalition – HADS , HACC , Hamilton Health Center , Christ Lutheran Church , and Holy Spirit ’ s Health Share – gathered for monthly , sometimes weekly , meetings for the past two years , exchanging their ideas in an effort to make all the logistics work . Hamilton Health Center has been an effective partner for HADS in this effort because of its modern facility , full-time staff , and availability of after hours care and transportation for patients , and finally , much of the work done there is without any cost to the patient .
“ The coalition also met with social service organizations in a town hall meeting format and sought their input ,” Dr . Gould said . “ You can not imagine how many calls we , as a dental society , get in reference to social service organizations ’ clients needing dental care — usually emergency care , which is what this initiative is primarily focused on . We want to include all the social service organizations in the future so their needs are also met .” Pastor Jody Silliker of Christ Lutheran Church in Harrisburg is the Intake Coordinator for the East Shore patients in Dauphin County . Christ Lutheran Church already houses several community and health-related ministries , including a dental clinic run by Mission of Mercy two days each month . Through donations from area businesses and HADS dentists , Christ Lutheran now houses two fully-equipped operatories capable of doing all facets of dentistry in their church .
“ The plan is , now that the dental clinic is established , Christ Lutheran will provide this ministry two additional days a month , using HADS volunteer dentists who will go there ,” Dr . Meyers said . “ Jody will refer patients to other partners when her church or Mission of Mercy cannot meet that need .” In addition , The Health Share Program of Holy Spirit Hospital , will be working with many patients in communities in Cumberland County and Perry County on the West Shore of the Susquehanna River . Susan Williams is the west shore coordinator for Harrisburg Smiles , and refers to dentists in their offices on the west shore .
“ Prior to working on this project , the Health Share Community Partnership had already recruited several dentists and an oral surgeon to provide dental care to individuals who were in need of immediate care . After meeting with those affiliated with Harrisburg Smiles , I learned that there were even more dentists who were willing to work for the greater good ,” Williams said . Williams had previous experience working with Dr . Meyers , through his affiliation with Health Share of Holy Spirit .
“ When working with him and speaking with him , it is obvious that he is a caring individual who only wants to see the best care given to all patients ,” Williams said . “ After beginning work with the Harrisburg Smiles Project and making referrals to Dr . Andrew Gould , the same exuberance portrayed when working with Dr . Meyers also comes through in Dr . Gould ’ s work . Both of these individuals show a tremendous compassion for those in need .” HACC ’ s dental hygiene and
Expanded Function Dental Assistant ( EFDA ) programs are providing radiographs , clinical exams and dental prophylaxis to needy patients as well ; and , if there are restorative needs , patients may be sent to the EFDA clinic or Hamilton Health Center to have basic restorations placed . HADS member dentists will be volunteering to see patients in their own offices gratis or may go to these other sites to treat patients . Some have taken part in past by volunteering at HACC or Hamilton Health when there have been programs for the underserved sponsored by United Concordia and the Highmark Foundation . Harrisburg SMILES is up and running , and will be fine-tuning the process in months ahead . Getting all HADS member dentists to volunteer and assist in this initiative has quickly become a primary goal of the coalition .
“ Without volunteers , the patients referred through our screening partners will never get seen in a timely manner . HADS can ’ t continue to rely on the same individuals donating their time ,” Dr . Gould said . “ It has to be a group-wide effort .” Dr . Gould added that further evaluating how Harrisburg SMILES can possibly tap into Highmark grant funds that can be used to help aide the needy Harrisburg-area patients more effectively is another obstacle this group of volunteers will consider in the very near future .
“ As we continue to evolve , we will try to adapt and meet the community ’ s needs as best as possible ,” Dr . Meyers said .
“ I ’ m really , really excited about this and I ’ m really proud of the work we ’ ve done ,” Dr . Gould added .
Harrisburg SMILES already has more than 40 PDA members who have volunteered in this effort . To become a part of this and volunteer with Harrisburg SMILES , contact Dr . Harry Meyers at ( 717 ) 697-7000 , Dr . Andrew Gould at ( 717 ) 774-7700 or Dr . John Kiessling at ( 717 ) 657-3290 .
September / October 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal
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