West Virginia Health Right Mobile Dental Program
The West Virigina Health Right Mobile Dental Program was launched in May of 2017 . Serving five counties , including locations at Welch Community Hospital , Boone Memorial Hospital , Coalfield Health Center , Roane General Hospital and Community Care of West Virigina , the Mobile Dental Program provides all dental care free of charge to patients . The Mobile Dental Program also aims to decrease emergency room use for dental infections by taking immediate walk-ins from the hospitals and clinics involved .
This idea was conceived after the historic floods in the summer of 2016 .
“ We did an emergency mobile effort out of the back of my suburban to treat those affected by flooding with medication replacement and tetanus vaccinations in Kanawha County and other impacted counties ,” says Angie
Settle , DNP , APRN , BC , FNP , CEO of West Virginia Health Right .
Partnering with Marshall University and Raj Khanna , DMD , M . D ., director of the dental residency program at the Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine , the program is mission-driven and fueled by a passionate staff . The team is led by Malay Shah , DDS , the faculty dentist ; Greta Nelson , the hygienist ; Holly Salvage , the dental assistant ; and J . D . Barker , the driver of the mobile unit ,” says Settle .
To date , the West Virginia Health Right Mobile Dental Program has provided nearly $ 7 million in free dental care .
“ We are the only source of free dental care in these counties for so many lowincome adults , so I am beyond proud of this program and the lives we have changed ,” Settle says . away from it with a lot of extra determination and an even better ability to multitask ,” she says .
In her current position as CEO , there ’ s no job too small for Settle .
“ During the pandemic , I worked a lot doing COVID-19 testing and administering vaccines alongside my staff since I ’ m a believer in the philosophy that you shouldn ’ t ask your staff to do something that you wouldn ’ t do yourself .”
Settle also manages the budget , coordinates between departments and oversees new program planning , grants and fundraising .
“ Overall , though , I do a lot of advocating and storytelling , which is trying to explain to people the plight of our patients , why what we do is important and why free and charitable clinics are needed ,” she says . “ Although my absolute favorite thing about my position is helping people .”
Settle is proud of the success she has seen in both her personal and professional life .
“ Personally , I ’ d say my greatest success is my marriage of 34 years and my devotion to my faith and family ,” she says .
Professionally , Settle is proud of West Virginia Health Right ’ s innovative mobile dental clinic , which is now going into its seventh year of serving five rural counties . It has provided between $ 8 and $ 10 million dollars ’ worth of free dental care since its inception in 2017 .
Settle couldn ’ t imagine giving back and serving her community anywhere else than in the Mountain State .
“ There was no other option than to stay — stay close to family , stay to help people ,” she says . “ I love West Virginia and the people of West Virginia with our sense of family and community . I can ’ t imagine myself anywhere else .” •
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