Bassett Healthcare Network Partners with American Dental Association and Catholic Charities to Connect Dental Patients with Care
January 23, 2025
Throughout 2024, Bassett Healthcare Network worked to get patients experiencing dental pain in front of dentists who could help. The American Dental Association (ADA) and Catholic Charities partnered to provide $15,000 to patients in need, from January 2024 through December 2024.
“Successfully getting people out of pain weighs heavily on my mind,” says Dawn Helstrom, RDH, Bassett Healthcare Network’s Community Dental Health Coordinator.
“There can be many barriers that we have to overcome to accomplish this, particularly concerning transportation, geography, the high demand for a scarce number of dentists, and insurance challenges, particularly for patients who have coverage through Medicaid. I may not have all the answers, but I strive to show each patient that I care.”
Community Dental Health Coordinators like Helstrom are committed to addressing oral healthcare needs in underserved communities, like the rural areas where Bassett Healthcare Network operates. They find dentists who are willing to see patients, determine the best way to get services paid for, schedule appointments, help troubleshoot any logistical difficulties, and follow through after services are complete.
Through Bassett Healthcare Network’s program for patients facing financial hardship, dentists were paid for their services through $400 vouchers, from the funding provided by the ADA and Catholic Charities. Funding remained with Catholic Charities, with Bassett officials acting as facilitators.
In 2024, 25 patients received services through this program. Many of these patients were referred to Bassett Healthcare Network’s Community Dental Health Coordinator after they arrived at Bassett Emergency Departments, complaining of dental pain. Others were referred by their primary care providers.
Anne Carman’s son Brian Carman was one of those patients. The 24-year-old was born with a cleft lip and palate and required a number of dental procedures, including extractions. He has now had those procedures done and has been fitted for a denture.
“It was like a miracle that happened. The best Christmas present we could imagine,” said Anne.
“Dawn listened to our story and helped us find a dentist in Cooperstown who was in our budget and unbelievable. I’m anti-dentist and I would go there myself in a minute. Kudos to Dawn, Bassett, and everyone involved in this program.”
While 25 patients received care through the voucher program, over 1,000 referrals were made that could not be fulfilled, showing the extensive need for dental care being felt by community members. Some patients traveled as far away as Rochester to receive necessary, pain-relieving dental care. While this specific voucher program has concluded, Bassett Healthcare Network will continue to support patients whenever possible, working with local and regional dental partners, to ensure patients receive the care they need.
