DCMC Dental Clinic to transition operations to new care provider
STURGEON BAY – Door County Medical Center and Green Bay-based N.E.W. Community Clinic have signed a letter of intent for N.E.W. to take over operation of DCMC’s Dental Clinic in Sturgeon Bay, although the clinic will remain where it is and its current dental care providers will continue there.
The goal is for the transition to N.E.W. to start Jan. 1, and a press release from the two organizations said they are working collaboratively on the next steps now that the letter of intent is signed.
Current DCMC Dental Clinic patients will transition into the N.E.W. Community Clinic patient roster and care will continue to be offered at the current Dental Clinic building at 228 S. 18th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. Existing dental team staff and providers will not change, the press release said. The building will continue to be owned by DCMC with N.E.W. leasing the dental space.
With this change, DCMC will sharpen its focus on its core mission, and additional opportunities are created for underinsured and uninsured residents in the region to obtain dental care through N.E.W.’s services, including through possible use of N.E.W.’s mobile health unit to serve more remote locations. The press release noted that because N.E.W. is designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center, it has greater access to federal and state funding sources, thus creating opportunities to expand services and have a wider impact.
“This transition is difficult internally because we are so proud of the Dental Clinic and the work that our dental team does for the community,” DCMC CEO Brian Stephens said in the press release. “But it is critical for the sustainability of those services.
“N.E.W. Community Clinic has an extensive history and focus on serving patients with dental needs, including creating new and innovative outreach efforts such as its recently launched mobile unit. This is an opportunity to build on the great work that our team has done throughout the years and will continue to expand services for our dental clinic patients.”
The Dental Clinic began in 1999 as a response to a demonstrated community need for accessible dental care, at first for children only but later growing to include anyone on Medicaid insurance or uninsured up to the 200% of poverty level. Operating expenses are covered through a combination of community donations, grants and support from DCMC. It currently completes approximately 5,000 appointments per year for adults and children.
Source: DCMC Dental Clinic to transition operations to new care provider
