COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC., Middletown, CT
Project Title: The Norwalk HIV Oral Health Project (NHOHP)
Organizational Setting:
Community Health Center (CHC ) is a ten-site, federally qualified, family-focused health center providing dental care since its inception 35 years ago. CHC also provides comprehensive HIV medical care at 4 sites across the state of Connecticut and employs a full time HIV specialist.
Goals/Objectives:
To establish a new dental clinic providing affordable, local dental services to 600 low-income people living with AIDS. To increase adherence to oral health care through the concentrated efforts of coordination of care; outreach; insurance application assistance; and “Advanced Access” [same-day appointment scheduling]. The NHOHP project will place a specific emphasis on reaching and retaining HIV+ children and adolescents in dental care.
Geographic Setting:
Rural
Location:
Fairfield, New Canaan and Norwalk, CT
Target Population:
600 low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in Norwalk and surrounding communities.
Program Intervention/Services:
NHOHP will establish referral coordination of a continuum of oral care services including preventative, diagnostic, restorative, oral surgery and emergency care services. In addition, oral health education and promotion services will occur with each patient visit.
Program Staff:
Dentist, Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Receptionist/Access to Care Worker, and Care Coordinator.
Partners & Linkages to Medical Care:
Partners with Mid-Fairland AIDS Project (MFAP) and the Macedonia AIDS Ministries (MAM) with linkages to medical care at NCHC and Norwalk Hospital.
Consumer Involvement:
There will be consumer focus groups, and a consumer member to sit on an established advisory board at the MFAP.
Contact Information
Name & Title:
Kasey Harding
Mailing Address:
134 State Street
Meriden, CT 06450
Email: [email protected]
Telephone:
203-237-2229 X 6054
Fax:
860-638-6603