Family Medical Centers Expanding Dental Services at Rock Hill School-Based Health Center

The Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization’s Family Medical Centers (FMC) is pleased to announce it will be expanding dental services at its school-based center, located within the Rock Hill School District in Ironton. This expansion is made possible through a grant provided by the Delta Dental Foundation, a non-profit which supports projects that improve oral and overall health, promote health equity, and enhance the quality of life in our communities.

Established in 2020, Rock Hill Family Medical Center is the first school-based health center in Lawrence County. The center provides award-winning, comprehensive medical, behavioral health, and dental care throughout the week. Services are available to students, families, and other members of the community. The facility currently offers preventative dental services including cleanings and exams.

With the support of the Delta Dental Foundation, Rock Hill Family Medical Center will expand dental services to offer a greater level of care to those in need. Patients will have access to complete preventative care, as well as restorative care for treatment of cavities and more advanced dental issues. The transition to full dental services is expected to happen January 2022.

For a community in which 24.1% of adults are missing six or more teeth (CDC, 2006–10), these services are especially vital.

According to Angie Lewis, a school nurse at Rock Hill Schools, “Children with oral health problems are more likely to miss school than their peers. School-based interventions addressing oral health problems will be a game-changer for our students and their families. Providing our students with access to full service dental treatment is a key component of a healthy school environment, ensuring students are healthy and ready to learn.

With the expansion of services, students can receive comprehensive dental care while at school, which eliminates the need for parents to call off work and overcomes other transportation challenges.

This expansion will allow Rock Hill Family Medical Centers to serve to a greater capacity and efficacy, thereby improving dental/oral health outcomes in a high-risk, low-income community. Furthermore, because the center is school based, the expansion will ensure improved dental/oral hygiene education and habits for children in our community.

According to FMC Director of Operations, Gary Roberts, “We are honored to provide vital dental services to our community. We look forward to serving our community to a greater capability, and we are grateful for the support of our partners.”

To schedule an appointment at Rock Hill Family Medical Center, call 740-643-8688. For more information, visit www.familymedicalcenters.org.