GREENFIELD — Women’s Way, a program of United Way of Franklin County, hosted its first Oral Health Drive Saturday, hoping to remedy a lack of access to dental care and supplies that is felt across the county.
According to United Way, 48 million adults and children in the U.S. live in areas without enough dentists to provide routine care, and millions more cannot afford to pay for services. Sandy Sayers, executive director of United Way of Franklin County, said she was inspired to make this year’s Day of Action event dental-themed because of the severity of the problem.
“We were looking for some of the gaps in the community that need to be filled,” Sayers said. “We’ve chosen this because in Franklin County, there’s a problem with access to health care.”
Since 2008, United Way has held a signature day of service each June. In the past, the United Way of Franklin County has held drives for books and diapers, and installed signs featuring children’s activities at Greenfield’s Hillside Park to help further children’s reading abilities.
During the Oral Health Drive, which took place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Greenfield Town Common, 10 volunteers collected toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and travel-sized containers of mouthwash.
The items were packaged in bags specific for adults, children and families that will be distributed to community members in need by United Way’s 28 partner agencies.
Part of the problem is that many health insurance providers such as Medicaid and Medicare don’t always offer dental benefits, said Peter Kuusisto, outreach and enrollment coordinator for the Community Health Center of Franklin County. The Community Health Center helped sponsor United Way’s Day of Action.
“We’ve heard from quite a few people that they can’t afford dental coverage,” Kuusisto said. At the center, Kuusisto helps individuals submit applications for insurance and also corrects their misconceptions about what their insurance plans offer.
This year’s Day of Action was also a way of preparing for next year, when Sayers wants to hold an Oral Health Fair. The fair would be modeled after those organized by other United Way divisions, such as the United Way of Windham County, Vt., and would involve partnering with dentists who have mobile equipment, setting up shop for the day at a general location and offering free teeth cleanings.
“We’d also like to talk to (the dentists) about offering follow-up appointments for people who have emergency situations,” she said.
Sayers hopes that United Way can make an impact on the community not just through Day of Action events, but every day.
“I see United Way as being a place people can come to as a community resource,” she said.