Alluvion Health in Great Falls was notified recently that it will receive $300,000 grant from the federal Health Resource Service Administration.
Alluvion plans to use the grant money to buy a mobile dental unit which will increase access to care for people in rural areas of our region. The unit will be taken to rural areas surrounding Great Falls and will contain everything needed for two patients to simultaneously have their oral health needs met, according to a press release from Alluvion.
The unit is a 37-foot long dental clinic with two chairs/examination rooms, reception area, and an ADA-compliant handicap lift. Staff will be able to perform complete dental examinations, routine check-ups, fluoride varnishes and cleanings, perform restorative services such as fillings, extractions, and provide educational outreach activities.
A mobile dentistry unit was chosen by Alluvion based on "the needs of the target population, the relative lack of access to services, isolated geographic area, and the efficient delivery of a comprehensive oral health program that will be versatile and support future expansion to existing and future service sites."
“After doing a community needs assessment we determined that a mobile dental unit would best serve our community in Great Falls and Cascade County,” explained Dr. Kimberly Currie, the Alluvion Health dental director.
Currie also said, "Only two or three others health centers in the state receive this kind of funding so we are definitely lucky to have gotten it."
