Let’s face it, a lot of people don’t like to go to the dentist’s office.

But the reality is that dental care is vital. Keeping the teeth and gums clean and healthy enables people to eat properly and smile proudly. And good dental health benefits the whole body because sometimes problems with the teeth and gums can lead to trouble elsewhere.

The Community Health Center of Fort Dodge provides an option for people to get dental care. The center at 126 N. 10th St. has dentists and dental hygienists on staff. For payment, it accepts all forms of insurance and even provides a sliding fee scale based on a person’s ability to pay.

The center recently received a federal grant that will improve its dental services. It was awarded a $212,868 award from the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The money will be split between the local center and the one in Mason City, which is part of the Fort Dodge facility.

Some of that money will pay for updated dental chairs. Settling into a newer and more comfortable chair may make things a little easier for patients. The rest of the money will be spent on various pieces of dental equipment.

”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,” said Renae Kruckenberg, the center’s chief executive officer.

The Community Health Center of Fort Dodge provides vital dental care and often serves people in our area who otherwise would not get such treatment. It is a worthy recipient of the federal grant, which will enable it to improve its services.