StayWell Health Center’s Dental Director, Amit Patel, DDS, and Chief Development Officer, Christine Bianchi, MSW, LCSW, presented on October 2nd at the 2012 National Primary Oral Health Conference in La Jolla, California.
Ms. Bianchi jointly represented StayWell Health Center, Waterbury’s largest deliverer of primary care dental services, and the Waterbury Oral Health Collaborative, which was formed in 2002 to address dental care needs for children in Waterbury. The conference was attended by over 200 dental providers, professors, and health administrators from the United States.
The presentation, titled “The Power of Collaboration: Collective Impact,” focused on the systematic successes of the Waterbury Oral Health Collaborative and how these successes can guide the formation of dental collaboration in other communities. Highlighted in the presentation were the 24,240 dental visits provided by StayWell Health Center in 2011. The presentation also focused on the partnerships among the different organizations involved in the Waterbury Oral Health Collaborative.
According to Dr. Patel, “While there is always something to learn from others when attending national conferences, it was an honor to represent and share the progress and leadership of the Waterbury community in the area of oral health. We have a lot to teach others about collaboration and the successes achieved as a result.” Collaborative partners of the Waterbury Oral Health Collaborative include the St. Mary’s Dental Center, the Waterbury Dental Society, City of Waterbury Department of Health and Education, Northwestern AHEC, CT Oral Health Initiative, City of Waterbury School Readiness and the CT Dental Health Partnership.
StayWell Health Care, Inc. is committed to providing high quality, community health care and social services, including preventive medical, dental, and mental health services to the underserved population of the Greater Waterbury community. StayWell Health Care, Inc. has adopted a comprehensive, community based approach to serving people by providing education, advocacy, and bilingual/bicultural services. All patients are accepted regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.