Promise CHC awarded grant toward purchase of dental chair system

SIOUX CENTER � Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center will get a new dental chair and associated equipment, thanks to a Sioux County Community Foundation grant.

The foundation awarded the health center a $10,000 grant during an awards ceremony today (Monday, May 16) in Orange City.

Dr. Kenneth Tjeerdsma, dentist and dental director
for Promise Community Health Center in Sioux
Center, will receive a new dental chair to serve
patients due to a $10,000 grant from the
Sioux County Community Foundation.

The grant will go toward the cost of purchasing a dental chair system for one of Promise�s three oral health exam rooms. The grant will fund about 55 percent of the cost. Promise will provide the remaining matching funds.

�We are so thankful for the Sioux County Community Foundation�s support,� said Derrick Vander Waal, public relations and development coordinator for Promise. �Promise�s dental program fills a crucial need in the community. It serves the most vulnerable populations in Sioux County by reducing barriers to care for low-income families and those from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This grant will help Promise fill that need and will have a major, long-term impact on the oral health of citizens throughout Sioux County.�

Promise accepts all patients, but in particular, it welcomes Medicaid patients who live throughout northwest Iowa. Promise also offers patients a sliding-fee scale, which greatly reduces dental costs for patients who don�t have health insurance coverage or have high deductibles.

As a result, Promise is a place where patients who otherwise would have difficulty accessing care can be referred.

Sioux County Community Foundation
board member Josh Dorhout presents
Promise Community Health Center
representatives Nancy Dykstra and
Derrick Vander Waal with a $10,000
grant award during a ceremony today
(Monday, May 16) in Orange City.

�Promise fills an important regional niche by helping to ensure that families and children receive the dental care that they need,� Vander Waal said.

Promise purchased refurbished dental chairs for its three dental exam rooms when it launched its oral health services in January 2011. They have served Promise well but are nearing the end of their useful lifespan. The chair that is in the worst condition and has had the most repairs in the last couple of years will be replaced with the help of the grant.

In addition to a new dental chair, a dental delivery unit, instrumentation and a mounted LED light will be purchased as necessary accessories for a complete dental system.

The new equipment will ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

�To properly care for patients, Promise needs high-quality dental equipment that is in good working condition,� Vander Waal said.

The Sioux County Community Foundation awarded $101,060 in grants to various entities during the awards ceremony.

Promise Community Health Center, headquartered in Sioux Center, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the far northwest corner of Iowa. Promise provides medical, prenatal, dental, vision and behavioral health services. To learn more, visit www.promisechc.org and watch this video.

Hygienist Rebecca Hooyer, along with Dr.
Kenneth Tjeerdsma, dentist and dental
director, are accepting new patients at
Promise Community Health Center in
Sioux Center. In particular, new
Medicaid patients are welcome.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS:

Promise Community Health Center�s dental program is accepting all new patients.

In particular, Promise welcomes newly enrolled Medicaid patients. Most dental offices in northwest Iowa are unable to take on new Medicaid patients. Promise�s outreach team also will help people enroll for Medicaid coverage if they qualify.

People who do not have insurance or have high deductibles also might qualify for Promise�s sliding-fee scale, which greatly reduces the cost for dental care for families who have incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The minimum payment for a dental visit is $40 for patients in families that are at or below the poverty level. Promise�s outreach team can help people determine if they qualify.

Any child under the age of 18 who shows up at Promise with a dental emergency will be seen that same day �  even if they do not have an appointment. Walk-up appointments also are available every morning and afternoon for other patients.

Promise�s dental hours are: 1-6 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays. For more information about Promise�s dental services, call 712-722-1700.

Promise�s dental staff consists of: Dr. Kenneth Tjeerdsma, dentist and dental director; dental hygienist Rebecca Hooyer; and dental assistants Tysa Lloyd, Gabbie Lynch and Leonardo Gabriel Marquez.