ELY- The Ely Community Health Center (ECHC) has announced a partnership with Essentia Health to support the expansion of the ECHC dental program. The ECHC provides free basic medical and dental services to those who are uninsured or underinsured. The organization is run completely by volunteers, with the exception of its executive director, and its goal is to remove barriers to care to improve the overall health of the region.
Ely and surrounding communities have a pronounced shortage of oral health care options; there is just one dental care provider in the 55731-zip code. This lack of access forces area residents to travel extensively for dental care, or to go without. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, poor dental health can have serious consequences, underscoring the importance of preventive care. Essentia’s grant will allow the ECHC to connect more people with these critical services.
“ECHC is honored to collaborate with Essentia Health and grateful for the opportunity to expand our efforts in improving access to dental services in our area,” said Helen Tome, Executive Director of the ECHC. “Community support is essential to the success of our programs and allows us to continue to provide these essential services to those that need them. We wish to extend a sincere thank you to Essentia Health for their commitment to improving community health.”
Essentia’s involvement in the expansion of the ECHC’s dental program includes a donation of $10,000.
“We recognize the importance of dental care and are thrilled to help improve access to that care for folks in Ely and the surrounding area,” said Rob Davenport, operations director at Essentia Health. “We are committed to supporting the communities we’re privileged to serve, and it’s by leveraging our relationships with key partners such as the ECHC that we’re able to make the greatest impact.”