UMC Dental: Providing Affordable Care to the West End and Beyond

“We have virtually eliminated the financial barriers to dental care,” says Uncompahgre Medical Center Executive Director Steven Siegel. He’s showing off the months-old dental wing, also known as UMC Dental. “This is the only place in our region, except Dove Creek, where an adult can come to receive subsidized dental care,” he continues.

Indeed, the waiting room is filled with adults, as are the two chairs in the brightly lit treatment room. But children are just as likely to be filling those seats, as UMC Dental is one of the few dental practices in the region – and the only one in San Miguel County – that accepts public insurance like CHP and Medicaid, as well as offers sliding fee services based on income. Like other dentists, though, UMC accepts full-pay and private insurance patients as well. The Norwood dental office first opened its doors in late November. After several weeks of refining systems and equipment, and acquiring a second dental chair, the office is now operating at full speed with a receptionist, two dental assistants, two hygienists and two dentists. Patients are seen at the center up to four days a week based upon appointments.

“January was our first full-schedule month,” says Siegel. “It took us from September to December to fully present the program.”

The office is a typical dental care model, explains Siegel. A patient first sees the dental hygienist, who conducts an exam, cleaning and generates X-rays. The results are then reviewed with the dentist, who conducts an evaluation of the patient’s oral health and establishes a treatment plan.

A side benefit to being located inside the Uncompahgre Medical Center is the ability to integrate care under one roof. “We’re maximizing the specialties of our providers that way,” says Siegel. Because certain diseases affect oral health, some of UMC Dental’s patients come from UMC’s existing chronic care registries. For example, a patient already seeing a UMC doctor for a disease such as diabetes, often associated with gum disease and tooth decay, may be referred to UMC Dental for their oral care. Furthermore, a dentist providing treatment to a patient who has a potentially conflicting health issue is able to receive real-time advice from a staff medical doctor within the clinic.

As Siegel begins our tour of the dental wing, this very scenario plays out. Patient in chair, Dr. Charlie Belting enters the medical wing to discuss his patient’s medication with Mike Adams, PA-C. Moments later, Belting returns to his patient with the knowledge he needs to continue with the procedure. Providing integrated care – medical, dental and behavioral health (UMC also houses The Center for Mental Health) – in one facility is the Federally Qualified Health Center model. One of 15 in the state, UMC is part of this special group of clinics whose mission is to provide comprehensive health care for the underserved. For UMC As a rural FQHC, underserved means both those unable to afford care and those unable to access it because of where they live. More than one-third of UMC’s medical patients have insurance, but would have to travel significant distances to receive the same care.

This federal subsidy, in addition to grant funding from other sources, enables the clinic to offer subsidized care and emphasize wellness. ”I think this region is quite fortunate to have an FQHC in Norwood,” Siegel says. “ Through their service model, these clinics are active participants in the health care reform that is happening nationally. Not only are we able to subsidize care for the increasing number of people who can’t afford it, but we are also able to hold clinics, screenings and other outreach programs to keep people healthy.”

Siegel currently is pursuing a federal grant for his fledgling dental program. As of now, UMC Dental is funded through state and private foundation grants. Major funders include Colorado Primary and Preventive Care Program, Caring for Colorado Foundation, and Colorado Health Foundation. Local support comes from The Telluride Foundation and San Miguel County.

“We’ve only been open a few months,” says Siegel, “but our patient flow indicates we are reaching our target. More than 80 percent of our care has gone to uninsured patients.”

According to Siegel, the highest subsidy level available is 300 percent of the federal poverty level – a family of four that makes no more than $63,600 per year. At the lowest level, a family of four making $21,200 a year will pay only 15 percent of the usual and customary fees.

UMC Dental primarily serves West San Miguel and West Montrose counties, “but we’re not restricted,” says Siegel. “We’ve had patients come from 10 zip codes so far. With only two chairs, our limitation is in our capacity to meet regional demand.”

UMC partners with the Telluride Foundation to prevent cavities in kids ages 12 and under including preschool with the San Juan Kids Cavity Prevention Program, an in-school dental screening . As the “dental navigator” for the program, they help facilitate the screenings, from exams, cleanings and fluoride treatments to sealant applications and education, Siegel explains. “This spring will be our third round of screenings in regional schools.”

If further treatment is necessary, the young patients are referred to either UMC Dental or the Community Dental Clinic in Montrose. Not only do the dental health screenings serve kids who might not otherwise see a dentist, but having access to local treatment shortens the time parents spend on the road, which reduces their carbon footprint and prevents them from having to take time off from work for routine dentist appointments.

Perhaps most impressive is UMC Dental’s qualified staff, consisting of part-time Norwood resident Dr. Charles Belting, Dr. Scott Peterson and hygienists Darcy Peterson of Montrose and Patty Hubley of Dolores. Rounding out services are dental assistant Suzanne Starks of Montrose, and dental assistant and receptionist Barb Baldwin of Naturita. How was Siegel able to attract staff to commute from areas as far away as Dolores? “They support the mission,” he responds.

UMC Dental is open for appointments and business-hours emergencies, providing general exams, teeth cleaning, restorative work, crowns, dentures, extractions and related care.

“We want to encourage people who have had a reluctance to seek dental care to come over and at least have an exam to evaluate the status of their oral health,” says Siegel.

For an appointment, call 970/327-4233.