Crescent Community Health Center receives $850,000 and additional $500,000 matching grant to expand dental services
Posted on December 12, 2022 in Foundation
Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque will increase its dental services with the support of an $850,000 grant from Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation and an additional $500,000 dollar-for-dollar matching grant.
Opened in 2006, Crescent was founded to provide primary medical and dental care for underserved populations in Dubuque and the tri-state area. As part of a planned oral health expansion, Crescent is renovating its existing space to offer new oral health services including dedicated oral surgery, pediatric dental suites and a state-of-the-art onsite dental lab. The renovation is expected to be complete at the end of 2023.
In addition to the facility and services expansion, Crescent has also created partnerships with training programs to provide future educational opportunities for dental students. It has established an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program (AEGD) for a one-year certificate, post-doctoral training program, in partnership with New York University Langone Dental Medicine (NYU Langone) and a two-year clinical training program for hygiene students in partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). These opportunities will significantly enhance the dental residents' and hygienists’ knowledge and clinical skills, which will positively impact access, treatment outcomes and quality of care provided to the community.
“The support Delta Dental is providing will allow for expansion of services at Crescent for a wide spectrum of high need patients from the very young to older frail adults, which directly ties to our Foundation’s goals,” said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director of Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “Crescent’s holistic approach to dental care reflects their commitment to an integrated dental experience for all their patients while educating the future workforce.”
With the expanded dental services, Crescent expects to serve more than 11,500 patients in the Dubuque area and surrounding counties. Crescent expanded dental services in 2020 to offer reconstruction treatments focusing on tooth replacement solutions. Initially Crescent projected 275 prosthetic procedures would be completed in 2021. The actual number of patients receiving restorative treatments in 2021 was more than 1,600. As the need for dental care increases, Crescent also recognized the need to train the next generation of dental professionals to advocate and care for underserved populations.
“The generous gift from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation assists us greatly in our efforts to expand dental services, while addressing the future of the dental workforce in our community,” said Gary Collins, chief executive officer of Crescent.
“We will be able to provide pediatric, oral surgery, and advanced prosthetic services including dentures, crowns, and bridges, supported by our state-of-the-art, onsite dental laboratory. This will increase access for patients in need of comprehensive dental care and allow us to address a significant need for specialty services as well,” said Dr. Marco Rouman, chief dental officer of Crescent.
In addition to the $850,000 grant to expand dental services, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation is providing a dollar-for-dollar matching commitment for an additional $500,000 received through individual and corporate donations. As the year ends, donations made to this campaign are tax deductible for those who contribute. For more information about supporting the dental expansion at Crescent, contact Barb O'Hea, mission advancement director at [email protected].
About Crescent Community Health Center
Crescent Community Health Center first opened its doors in October of 2006. Crescent was founded by a group of dedicated board members made up of community stakeholders who identified the need for primary medical and dental care for underserved populations. Since then, Crescent has been providing high-quality primary and preventive medical and dental care to members of the community. Learn more at https://crescentchc.org.