These investments are the first by HRSA to solely focus on oral health. It will enable HRSA-funded health centers to provide new, or enhance existing oral heal services.

“At our Fort Dodge location we will be updating our dental chairs as well as purchasing some new equipment. In Mason City we will be finishing dental operatories” said Renae Kruckenberg, CEO of Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, Mason City and Dayton. “We are excited as there was a record number of applicants for these funds, the demand for dental services in our area is high and we are looking forward to better serving our patients and future patients with these improvements.”

In 2018, HRSA-funded health centers served more than 6.4 million dental patients, a 13% increase from 2016, and provided more than 16.5 million dental visits.

Fort Dodge and Mason City each have eight dental operatories in their facility, they accept Medicare and most insurance. Both accept patients without insurance and offer a sliding-fee scale for those who qualify.

“Access to high-quality, integrated oral health care is essential to the early detection of oral diseases, which are critical to preventing future, often costly, health issues,” said Acting HRSA Administrator Tom Engels.