The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic Receives Award For “Best Practices in Rural Health”
Award Given by the Virginia Rural Health Association to Recognize the Clinic’s Achievement in Improving the Oral Health of Residents in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County
Fishersville, VA – November 23, 2011 – The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic (ARDC) announced today it has been honored with the Virginia Rural Health Association’s prestigious “Best Practices in Rural Health” award. The award is given annually by the Virginia Rural Health Association to recognize a program or institution that exemplifies commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia. The ARDC will be recognized for this achievement during a luncheon on December 9th at the VRHA Conference held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center in Staunton, Virginia.
“The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic is one of the few places low-income families in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County can go for dental services,” said Margaret Hersh, Executive Director of the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic. “With our recent state-of-the-art facility expansion, we are able to serve more patients in a timelier manner. We are both humbled and thrilled to be recognized for this award.”
In the past year, ARDC treated 8,200 patients, providing nearly 30,000 procedures at a value of $2.5 million dollars. All of the Clinic’s patients are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. ARDC accepts children and adults enrolled in the Medicaid programs Famis, Famis Plus, Optima and Virginia premier, as well as uninsured adults at significantly reduced fees. Opened in June 2010, ARDC’s new 5,000 square-foot dental facility includes state-of-the-art equipment and eight treatment rooms. This expanded facility, along with a dedicated staff including three full-time dentists, one part-time dentist, and a full-time hygienist, enable the Clinic to provide cutting-edge, compassionate dental care without a lengthy wait time.
About the Virginia Rural Health Association
The Virginia Rural Health Assocation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working for the 2.5 million people who call rural Virginia their home. The mission of VRHA is to improve the health of rural Virginians through education, advocacy, and fostering cooperative partnerships.
About The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic
The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic (ARDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established by (and affiliated with) the Augusta Regional Free Clinic. The mission of the ARDC is to provide dental related services to children enrolled in the Medicaid “Smiles for Children Program” and adults (of Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County), who are income qualified, but do not have the means to pay the full cost of these services. Treatments provided include preventive and restorative dentistry, as well as limited endodontics and extractions. The ARDC is not technically a “Free Clinic,” but rather a compassionate provider of dental care at a substantially reduced cost.
