Some kudos for a local program, Dental Center of Northwestern Ohio

Health care costs are rising and there are many of us who either don't have dental insurance or have dental insurance that is extremely limited in what it covers. Proper dental care for children is especially important but it's also most times very costly. However there is an excellent program right here in Toledo that can help not only adults but children get dental care.

For families who meet their income requirements:

A resident of the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio service area living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level OR a resident of the service area receiving health benefits from Medicaid or a Medicaid HMO is eligible for dental services.

There is a fee scale for adults but children under the age of 18 are charged $20.00 per visit no matter the amount of dental work done. For a family of four that would mean those making under $40,000 would qualify from an income standpoint.


Maggie Thurber mentioned the program on WSPD when she was filling in for Brian Wilson a few weeks ago. Then my 17 year old started complaining she had a tooth that was bothering her, and since my ex-husband's employer closed up shop several months ago the girls no longer have dental insurance. So, I called and made an appointment for both girls since my youngest was due for a dental check up as well.

The staff was professional and the services the girls received were excellent. It was no different than the care they had recieved at our family dentist, the only difference was the cost. As an example the last time one of my daughters had a dental visit the cost under their dental insurance for a similar visit as today was $100.00, today was as the Dental Center stated, $20.00 per child.

In chatting with some of the parents who were there today, all of us would have had a much more difficult time trying to provide dental services for our children if this center did not exist. Many of them had been coming to the Dental Center for quite some time, some had been recommended by friends or family.

What is also noteworthy about the Dental Center of Northwestern Ohio is that they are a private non-profit corporation and they have been in existance since 1910. If you'd like more information, they have a website at www.dentalcenternwo.org.

Their motto is "Giving back smiles all over Northwest Ohio - since 1910" and from what I saw today? They mean it...

:-)