Expanding Community Oral Health Services in Clark County

The Clark County Health Department provides limited no-cost oral health services to those ages 2+ at Community Health and Resource Fairs throughout the year. This program includes oral health screenings, fluoride treatments, education and oral health hygiene supplies.  
 
In addition to the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile program available at twelve schools in Clark County, these programs are aimed at improving the oral health of residents who do not have regular access to dental care.
 
Over the past year, 77% of participants in the Clark County Community Health and Resource Fairs indicated they do not visit a dentist at least once a year and 79-percent of those had an oral health concern that required follow-up or emergent dental care.
 
Aspirus Stanley Hospital recently provided $5,000 to the Clark County Health Department to facilitate the expansion of the program which are held at community health and resource fairs in Abbotsford.
 
“Thanks to the support of Aspirus Stanley Hospital, we expanded the programs in June and now offer dental cleanings for those who either don’t have insurance or don’t have access to care,” said Corrine Spencer, Clark County Public Health Nurse.
 
Spencer says that the program, which only allows for walk-ins has no trouble filling the four hours schedule withing the first couple of minutes of each event.
 
Targeted materials to the growing Hispanic community are a key resource to promote the program.