AxessPointe Community Health Centers, Inc. Now Providing Endodontic Services
May 14, 2019 – AxessPointe Community Health Centers, Inc. has added a new element to the list of health services provided to the area, endodontic treatment. The new service was made possible by funding from the Ohio Dental Association, Barberton Community Foundation, Portage Foundation and United Way of Portage County. The gracious donations were used to purchase endodontic equipment.
The dental department began expanding services in March 2019 to include endodontics, also known as root canal therapy. The goal is to reduce the number of extractions by 25 percent annually. This will positively impact the overall health of residents in the area and provide a more cost-effective resource for those who are underinsured, uninsured or have Medicaid/Medicare. AxessPointe’s dental services are offered at the Arlington, Barberton and Kent locations.
“There is a clear need for our services. Many residents in our area face daily challenges that prevent them from receiving quality medical and dental care. Many of our patients have limited access to transportation, making it difficult to follow through with referred services. In addition, many patients cannot afford the cost of endodontic treatment outside of AxessPointe” stated Dr. Kristie Engler, Chief Dental Director at AxessPointe.
Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Engler, during training on the new endodontic equipment.
This service expansion project will not just contribute to the overall health of residents, but it will also help patients to feel better physically, gain more confidence, potentially increase their chances of employment and allow them to learn more about the benefits of root canal therapy and treatment options. Overall, providing additional access through this program will give community members a better quality of life and help remove barriers so they have the opportunity to be their best self.
AxessPointe Community Health Centers is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving more than 18,500 patients in 2018 throughout Summit and Portage counties. AxessPointe has five current sites in Northeast Ohio, including three in Akron, one in Kent and one in Barberton. An FQHC is a non-profit corporation that delivers primary medical, dental and preventive health services in medically underserved areas. AxessPointe also provides pharmacy, women’s health and behavioral health services. For more information visit axesspointe.org.
