Tamworth, N.H. (PRESS RELEASE) – Tamworth Dental Clinic and School Smiles is proud to introduce the appointment of Denise Bailey, CDA RDH BS, as the new School Smiles dental coordinator.
The Tamworth Dental Clinic and School Smiles are a Tri-County Community Action Program, which provides high quality essential dental care to over 2,500 people from Carroll, Coos, Grafton and Belknap Counties. The School Smiles program seeks to improve the oral health of children, as well as their dental experience by providing convenient and reliable school-based dental services to students within a safe and pleasant environment.
Denise’s interests in dentistry started at the age of sixteen as a dental assistant student at a vocational high school. After high school, she continued her education and became a dental hygienist in 1997 after graduating ed from Middlesex Community College, Dental Hygiene Program, in 1997. She has practiced in many different areas of dental hygiene in several states, and many different areas of dentistry, including public health and hospital-based positions. Denise also holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Studies in Healthcare Administration from Granite State College. In 2012, she completed her credentials as a licensed educator through the Massachusetts Department of Education (DESE). Denise has worked as an educator, CPR instructor and dental assisting program developer. She is currently completing a Masters in Education degree at Westfield University.
”Dental hygiene, particularly public health, is my passion,” Denise said. ”Visiting schools in Carroll County and providing education, screening, and preventative dental care has been rewarding and fun. I love meeting children and teaching them about their smile. Children’s teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.”
The focus of School Smiles is the educational component in the classroom with a friendly assessment of students teeth. “I’m very excited to be able to bring this information right to the students in the school where they are already comfortable and ready to learn,” notes Bailey. “We know it is critical to be a friendly face for children to have a positive experience while they learn about dental self-care. ”
“ We are happy to have Denise join our Tamworth Dental Clinic team. Her education, passion, and enthusiasm for working with children is a great benefit to our clinic and the schools,” says Kristy Letendre, Tri-County Cap Director of Clinical Services. “ For some, the Dental Clinic and School Smiles is the only option for dental care with Medicaid and Medicare.” The oral health preventative and remedial services have a positive impact on the quality of life, and even impacting the employability of our patients. We welcome all new child and adult patients. Whether self-paying, fully insured, or covered by NH or Maine Medicaid,” said Kristy Letendre. “The Tamworth Dental Clinic accepts most major adult and family dental insurance plans, Care Credit time payment plans, and offers reduced rates to low-income individuals without insurance. We work with programs for Veterans, Ryan White referrals, New Hampshire Employment program, Seniors, and two local Department of Corrections inmate programs.
“Dental Health is an important focus program of Tri-Community Action Agency, Inc. (TCCAP) to assist low to moderate income families with a range of oral health services,” said Robert Boschen Jr., TCCAP’s CEO. “The School Smiles program is important outreach to children and their parents. Dental care is an important part of overall health and wellness. According to experts, dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. The burden of this issue falls disproportionately on low-income children. A GAO report showed children in poverty have about five times more untreated dental decay.”
About Tri-County Community Action Program, Inc
Tri-County Community Action Program, Inc is dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of New Hampshire’s people and communities. We provide opportunities and support for people to learn and grow in self-sufficiency and to get involved in helping their neighbors and improving the conditions in their communities.
Tri-County CAP is a nonprofit, multi-program agency with many projects and service locations. If you are unable to find the information you need about TCCAP or any of its programs on our website tccap.org, or please call our Central Office in Berlin at 603-752-7001, the Tamworth Dental Clinic 603-323-7645 or call one of our community contact centers located throughout northern New Hampshire. www.tccap.org
