Rural Md. center gets oral healthcare grant

The Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC) will have $180,000 to spend on oral healthcare from a U.S. Rural Health Network Development grant through the Mountain States Health Alliance.

Objectives of the grant include the following:

• Formalizing network bylaws
• Establishing a network business/strategic plan
• Implementing at least one new significant strategy identified by partners to increase access to oral healthcare in the region, such as a dental clinic
• Achieving sustainability for the network and the strategies it has placed in the community

The dental clinic will serve people who can't normally afford dental care, according to Mary Spalding, program coordinator for Western Maryland AHEC.

"Oral health is a critical need in this area, especially for those without insurance," said Spalding. "Few dentists here accept Medicaid, so many residents who desperately need oral healthcare cannot access it."

Grants are awarded to rural providers who work in networks, alliances, coalitions, or partnerships to integrate administrative, clinical, technological, and financial functions, according to a press release announcing the grant.