Sheehan Health Network

GIFT OF DENTAL EQUIPMENT BENEFITS ONES IN MOST NEED OF DENTAL CARE

Patterson Dental Donates Dental Equipment to Sheehan Health Network

October 20th, 2009

Tags: pediatric dental care, dental clinic, dental care,

Patterson Dental, one of the Patterson companies leading divisions, understands the importance of quality dental care. Upon observing the health care need that Sheehan was providing to the community at the new Kaleida Family Dental Clinic, the company made the decision to donate state of the art dental instruments to the hospital for use at the clinic.

"Patterson Dental believes programs like this are important to the community and need the continued support of the private sector," states Mike Baker, Buffalo branch manager of Patterson Dental. "We are pleased that the dental equipment will be used to assist in providing quality preventative dental services to the uninsured and under insured."

The company has established a reputation of providing expert services and dental products for dental professionals. As Patterson's largest business, Patterson Dental provides a complete range of dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and other services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.

"We are honored and very appreciative of Patterson Dental's generous donation," stated Lucille K. Sheedy, Sheehan's interim president and CEO. "The goal at the Kaleida Family Dental Clinic is to provide quality and customer focused dental services for all ages in a comfortable and modern setting." "Sheehan recognizes that access to quality oral health care is important to ones total health."

A recent report by the Surgeon General stated that the oral health of Americans has improved in recent years, yet considerable gaps in access to dental care remain. Dental care, although not a major part of the health care debate, is a vital part of a person's total health and wellness. What many may not be aware of is that tooth decay is considered the nation's most common chronic disease among children, and adults are not immune. However, tooth decay and gum disease among adults have serious links to other healthcare problems.

Sheedy adds, "Both preventive and restorative dental care is important to Sheehan's primary service area that includes a large uninsured and low income population in addition to a growing senior population."

The Kaleida Family Dental Clinic at Sheehan, located at 425 Michigan Avenue, is a collaboration of Kaleida Health, Sheehan Health Network, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and Women & Children's Hospital. The Oishei Foundation provided major financial support for the clinic. The community partnership established the dental clinic in an effort to improve access to dental health services for underserved neighborhoods in the City of Buffalo. The Dental Clinic at Sheehan provides dental care for children, adults and seniors, including those with special physical needs.

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