Van Wert dental clinic taking new patients

VW independent/submitted information

The Dental Center of Northwest Ohio opened its doors to the Van Wert community late last fall with the introduction of the Van Wert Smiles dental clinic. The Dental Center is a non-profit dental practice serving 18 northwest Ohio counties with four locations.

Although the newly renovated Van Wert location hasn’t been in the area long, it’s receiving a positive reception as patients of all ages come in for appointments for a range of oral health services — from cleanings to root canals.

This new location opened through a partnership with Van Wert County Hospital, which provides critical support to the center. Van Wert Smiles is located in the Health Center, 140 Fox Road.

Unlike the Dental Center’s two other locations in Toledo and Findlay, the Van Wert office is smaller and resides in a rural community. Preceded by seven years with the Dental Center’s own Smile Express, a 40-foot mobile dental office, the new Van Wert Smiles location already has a dedicated patient base and hopes to expand by offering care for those with many forms of insurance, including all Medicaid plans, and offering reduced fees for those without insurance.

Even though the office has already opened and is serving patients, slight construction remains to ensure that all patients can get an appointment in a timely manner. Currently, four examination rooms are complete, with two more yet to be completed. Mickey Rockhill, manager for the Findlay Smiles clinic, is leading the staff of dental professionals and administrative support staff.

In addition to working with patients, Michelle Plaster, Registered Hygienist, will also be working one day a week to provide community education and outreach in the county.