Dental Update
August 22, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Albrecht Free Clinic Announces New Dental Care Partnership
WEST BEND, WI -- The Albrecht Free Clinic is excited to announce a new partnership with Lakeshore Community Health Care to increase access to dental care in a joint effort to serve more residents in need. Lakeshore Community Health Care, with clinics in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, will serve Washington County’s growing Medicaid population, as well as its uninsured living at 200% or below the federal poverty level.
In 2016, Albrecht Free Clinic began offering dental care to vulnerable populations in response to an unfulfilled community need. The clinic has been successful in caring for this patient population since 2016. However, the need is great and growing, dental clinics are costly to operate, and provider availability is limited. Lakeshore Community Health Clinic will utilize Albrecht Free Clinic’s three dental chairs and operate the dental clinic 40 hours per week. The partnership will begin in September.
“Put simply, working together we can serve more people on a consistent and sustainable basis,” said Albrecht Free Clinic’s Executive Director Ruth Henkle. “Our clinic has made great strides in improving oral health in Washington County over the last 6 years. That said, particularly since the pandemic, our volunteer-based dental clinic has been difficult to run, with staffing shortages affecting the entire dental industry. We’ve been exploring creative ways to increase our capacity, and a partnership with Lakeshore Community Health Care will allow more residents to get the dental care that they desperately need.”
“Access to affordable dental care is one of the greatest needs we see in our communities. Over 9,000 patients receive dental services at our clinics in Manitowoc and Sheboygan,” explained Lakeshore Community Health Care’s CEO Kristin Stearns. “We look forward to working with the Albrecht Free Clinic to increase access to oral care in the community.”
Moving forward, the Albrecht Free Clinic will continue to do what it does best, providing medical care for uninsured residents of Washington County at 200% or below the federal poverty level. While Lakeshore will be providing the direct dental care, the Albrecht Free Clinic will help underwrite the cost of care for its uninsured patients. The Albrecht Free Clinic will need continued community support for both medical patients and those receiving dental care through this new partnership with Lakeshore Community Health Care.
The Albrecht Free Clinic exists to meet the medical and dental needs of uninsured individuals living and working in Washington County. Founded in 1996 by Dr. James E. Albrecht. it is a volunteer-driven organization, made possible by professional and administrative support volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents. For more information, visit albrechtfreeclinic.org.
Lakeshore Community Health Care provides primary medical, dental, mental health, and pharmacy services for all, regardless of insurance status or income level. The non-profit’s mission is to provide access to high-quality, comprehensive health care and reduce health disparities for underserved people with a focus on serving low-income individuals and families, the uninsured and underinsured, and those enrolled in Medicaid (BadgerCare). For more information, visit lakeshorechc.org.
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