MONROE - A free dental clinic in Monroe soon will begin biting into an assessed health need in Green County.
The Fowler Memorial Free Dental Clinic will open April 3 at the Green County Health Department in Monroe. Initially, the clinic will serve children ages 3 to 12 who don't have access to dental care and whose parents have an income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
"In the future, we hope to expand treatment to older children and adults who meet our income guidelines, but as we get started, our focus will be on the younger population," said RoAnn Warden, Green County Health Department director.
The idea of a free clinic began with a Green County Healthy Community Coalition Health Needs Assessment, which revealed a continuing problem of the underinsured and uninsured in Green County not having access to dental care.
To answer this need, the coalition and the Southwest Community Action Program formed the Green County Dental Care Access Project Steering Committee, with the mission of opening a free dental clinic for low-income citizens in Green County. Through contributions and support from many community agencies and individuals, the vision has become a reality.
Supporters and contributors include: Amcore Community Foundation, CG Schmidt, Drew Delforge, DDS, Delta Dental, Estate of Dr. Don Fowler, Green County Health Department, Green County Human Services, Green County of Wisconsin, Green County School District, Dr. Robert Hoffman, Holt Dental, Kiwanis Club of Monroe, Jane Lysaght Memorial Fund, Monroe Clinic, Monroe Fund, Monroe Women's Club, Julio Rodriguez, DDS, Saint Vincent DePaul, Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Sullivan-Schein Dental, United Way of Green County and Wisconsin Dental Association.
"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of those who gave of their time, energy and resources for this important cause, and we want to especially thank Delta Dental, CG Schmidt, and the family of Dr. Don Fowler for so generously going above and beyond to answer our call for support," said Dr. Julio Rodriguez, the free clinic's dental director.
The clinic's operating costs are financed by grants, private donations and local fundraising activities - including a Family Golf Play Day at Decatur Lake Golf Course in Brodhead on June 20.
Patients are being scheduled at the clinic, which accepts eligible children by referral from school nurses, public health nurses, emergency room staff and social services.
Fowler Memorial Free Dental Clinic is seeking dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to volunteer their services. Call the Health Department at (608) 328-9404 for more information.
The Fowler Memorial Free Dental Clinic will open April 3 at the Green County Health Department in Monroe. Initially, the clinic will serve children ages 3 to 12 who don't have access to dental care and whose parents have an income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
"In the future, we hope to expand treatment to older children and adults who meet our income guidelines, but as we get started, our focus will be on the younger population," said RoAnn Warden, Green County Health Department director.
The idea of a free clinic began with a Green County Healthy Community Coalition Health Needs Assessment, which revealed a continuing problem of the underinsured and uninsured in Green County not having access to dental care.
To answer this need, the coalition and the Southwest Community Action Program formed the Green County Dental Care Access Project Steering Committee, with the mission of opening a free dental clinic for low-income citizens in Green County. Through contributions and support from many community agencies and individuals, the vision has become a reality.
Supporters and contributors include: Amcore Community Foundation, CG Schmidt, Drew Delforge, DDS, Delta Dental, Estate of Dr. Don Fowler, Green County Health Department, Green County Human Services, Green County of Wisconsin, Green County School District, Dr. Robert Hoffman, Holt Dental, Kiwanis Club of Monroe, Jane Lysaght Memorial Fund, Monroe Clinic, Monroe Fund, Monroe Women's Club, Julio Rodriguez, DDS, Saint Vincent DePaul, Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Sullivan-Schein Dental, United Way of Green County and Wisconsin Dental Association.
"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of those who gave of their time, energy and resources for this important cause, and we want to especially thank Delta Dental, CG Schmidt, and the family of Dr. Don Fowler for so generously going above and beyond to answer our call for support," said Dr. Julio Rodriguez, the free clinic's dental director.
The clinic's operating costs are financed by grants, private donations and local fundraising activities - including a Family Golf Play Day at Decatur Lake Golf Course in Brodhead on June 20.
Patients are being scheduled at the clinic, which accepts eligible children by referral from school nurses, public health nurses, emergency room staff and social services.
Fowler Memorial Free Dental Clinic is seeking dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to volunteer their services. Call the Health Department at (608) 328-9404 for more information.