Avis Goodwin Community Health Center (AGCHC), a well-known nonprofit organization with healthcare sites in Dover and Rochester was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation to help fund the “Smiles for Strafford County” dental program. 

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation funds oral health programs in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  It is a philanthropic arm of Northeast Delta Dental, which administers the dental benefits of businesses of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer-sponsored group dental insurance  Kathleen B. Walker, APR, who directs the work of the Foundation, says, “We fund a number of school-based programs, and I’m very impressed with the effectiveness of ‘Smiles for Strafford County’ in delivering oral health education and services.”

Thanks in part to this grant, the program is free to children in grades K-3; and last year 1,500 students were seen from the Woodman Park School, Garrison Elementary, Horne Street and Strafford elementary. AGCHC’s hygienist and volunteer dentists staff work with teachers and the popular “purple dinosaur” puppet to engage children into fun educational activities about oral health, dental screenings, fluoride treatments, cleanings, sealants and dentist referrals to any child without a dental home. 

Dental decay (cavities) is the single most common chronic disease of childhood, occurring five to eight times as much as asthma. Poor oral health has recently been linked to heart disease, low birth weight and diabetes.

The primary goal of this program is to teach children about the importance of oral health as early as possible and provide a dental home for those who need one.  The program has been very well received in the community and the buzz is out from parents, additional schools, daycare centers and local businesses wanting to be more involved with this mission.

AGCHC focuses on the whole person and integrates all disciplines for the entire family   and has a proud 40 year history, serving over 8,000 patients from the communities of Barrington, Durham, Dover, Farmington, Gonic, Lee, Madbury, Middleton, New Durham, Rochester, Rollinsford, Somersworth and Strafford with vital resources.  Services include; oral healthcare, mental health, primary care and prenatal care.  All patients have access to specialty service providers and fees are based on the ability to pay.  To learn more about the “Smiles For Strafford County” program or to "adopt" a dental patient, contact 516-2548. To learn more about AGCHC, visit www.AvisGoodwinCHC.org