The Opportunity
Maple City Dental (MCD) offers affordable, bilingual, high quality dental care for people who live in Goshen. At full capacity, MCD will serve 2,300 people each year. About two-thirds of people we serve will be children. The dental program offers preventative care (cleaning, fluoride, X-rays, and education) and restorative care (fillings and extractions) for children (ages 1 to 18) and adults.
Most of our dental staff are bilingual Spanish and English Speakers. We also provide interpreters to facilitate communication.
Our dental services are integrated with our medical care, behavioral health care, vision care, and substance use disorder treatment services. Physicians, therapists, the dentist and hygienists will work together hand in hand – referring patients, consulting on problems, and coordinating visits to improve the overall health of patients. Our newly renovated dental facility is located on the campus of one of our service delivery sites (Vista) and six blocks from the second site (Northside) which means all patients can access all types of services in a single trip.
We adjust our charges for dental care according to a family’s ability to pay. For example, people who live on incomes at or below the poverty line receive a 90% discount for the cost of care. If what people owe for their care becomes an impediment to care, we reduce or eliminate what they owe.
The Need
We estimate that 6,000 low-income, uninsured, immigrant, or Spanish-speaking people in Goshen lack access to affordable, integrated, local, and linguistically accessible dental care. Of the 11 dental practices in Goshen, Maple City Dental is the only source of affordable, linguistically accessible dental care for children ages five and under.
The Value to the Community
Isabella’s teeth are killing her.
For the past year, Isabella has suffered a severe toothache in two molars and pain in the gums around the molars. In spite of using over-the-counter toothache remedies and heavy doses of ibuprofen, she has missed work and can barely chew food.
Isabella knows that she needs a dentist, but her paycheck rarely stretches to meet the needs of her four children for shoes, school supplies, and medical care. To be sure that her children have what they need, Isabella sometimes skips filling her diabetes prescription. Another problem is finding a dentist who speaks Spanish and will accept uninsured patients.
If Isabella ever does find an affordable dentist, she will learn that the condition of her teeth is more dangerous than she realizes. Her gum disease may be making it harder to control her blood sugar. Bacteria can cause lung infection and can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Maple City Dental helps people like Isabella and her children. Isabella can return to work and enjoy improved health. Her children and their children will benefit from a lifetime of dental health, education, and healthy habits.
The Budget
EXPENSE |
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Renovation and equipment |
$ 834,000 |
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Start-up costs (unreimbursed salaries and supplies) |
$ 210,000 |
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INCOME |
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Community Foundation of Elkhart County |
$ 156,000 |
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Bontrager Family Foundation |
$ 15,000 |
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Howard Brembeck Vision and Dental |
$ 14,070 |
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Well Foundation |
$ 15,000 |
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Delta Dental Foundation |
$ 3,000 |
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HRSA Quality Award |
$ 28,000 |
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Donations Received from Individuals and Businesses |
$ 18,000 |
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AMOUNT NEEDED |
$ 794,930 |
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