Dental Clinic flourishes at St. Bernard Hospital

When St. Bernard Hospital opened its new dental clinic early in 2007, the goal of expanding its comprehensive health care model for children took a big jump forward. As part of the hospital’s CHANCE campaign – which includes the Pediatric Mobile Health Unit and the BITS program for infant immunizations – The Dental Clinic at St. Bernard Hospital brought oral health care to an underserved community of children in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.

“Many of the children we see in our Pediatric Mobile Health Unit have not even had basic oral health treatments,” according to Sister Elizabeth Van Straten RHSJ, President and CEO at St. Bernard. “When we realized the growing need for dental services in our community, we began to build an oral health initiative, with the ultimate goal of establishing a state-of-the-art, community-oriented dental clinic.”

The clinic opened in early 2007 within St. Bernard’s Professional Pavilion, allowing St. Bernard to provide integrated medical and dental care in one central location. Five oral health operatories are equipped with digital imaging, computerized record keeping, and the most modern technology and equipment.

Community interest skyrocketed in the year’s second quarter, with scheduled appointments more than doubling since April 1, and over 800 dental visits scheduled from April to June. The numbers indicate that word has spread throughout the community, and more people are realizing the availability of these services in Englewood.

“The consistent amount of inquiries has been good to see,” according to Dental Director Dr. Vipul Singhal, a State of Illinois "Healthy Smiles Hero" (see below). “We are seeing children with many different kinds of oral health needs, and parents who have dedicated themselves to finding these services for their children.”

More than a dozen foundations supported St. Bernard’s oral health initiative, and the clinic continues to rely on foundation support. In September, Washington Square Health Foundation awarded a grant to fund the purchase of a nitrous oxide system, further adding to the clinic’s array of available services.

While the hospital’s oral health services primarily target Englewood children (youth under age 18 make up 80% of the clinic’s clientele), the clinic has grown to become a family-centered dental home for Englewood parents and their children. This summer, St. Bernard added a second dentist to accommodate the growth in patient visits.

“We could never have imagined the clinic would be in such demand so quickly,” says Van Straten. “This is why we brought our dental clinic to the people of Englewood.”

HEALTHY SMILES HERO!

In October, Dr. Singhal was honored by the State of Illinois as a recipient of the “Healthy Smiles Hero” award - one of 24 dentists statewide to receive the award, which was presented by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn.

Quinn cited Dr. Singhal’s commitment to the community as the driving force behind his excellent work.

“These dedicated dentists go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure people in rural and underserved communities get the dental care they deserve,” Quinn said.

Dr. Singhal is the first Dental Director at St. Bernard Hospital. He oversaw construction of the facility, including installation of the clinic’s state-of-the-art technology. In its second quarter of operation, the clinic more that doubled its number of patients.

“It is the community who will direct this clinic,” says Dr. Singhal. “I am here to listen to them and provide services to improve oral health. Every member of the community has a role to play to achieve a healthy future.”

The Dental Clinic at St. Bernard Hospital is located in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. The Chicago Department of Public Health Oral Health Program, which screens of kindergartners, second graders and sixth graders, estimates 60% of those students lack proper oral health treatment and education.

The clinic is the centerpiece of a holistic program that includes early intervention, treatment, oral disease prevention, and education for children, parents, teachers, and healthcare providers.