Mountain Lakes Access Health trying to fix Smiles

One challenge in rural communities, such as Oconee County, is dental health issues.  Mountain Lakes Access Health, a non-profit, comprehensive health program in Oconee and Pickens counties seeks to establish a dental clinic in the area to serve the needs of low-income and uninsured individuals.  Mountain Lakes Access Health executive director Cortni Nations gives details.  “While various agencies have partnered with dentists here and there who are willing to provide some charity care in their office, the needs are still great.  We have established a dental committee that is really exploring what a part-time dental clinic might look like for this community.” Nations is grateful to the volunteers who have given their time to aid those less fortunate. “At this point I’m just excited to have some dedicated, passionate dentists involved with our project who see the needs and want to do something about it.” Mountain Lakes Access Health is currently in the process of acquiring money for a potential dental clinic in the area, concludes Nations. “We have written several grants on what the status is.  The momentum behind dental and oral health is really building; it is linked to so many other chronic illnesses, so we know we have got to do something about it.”  Mountain Lakes Access Health hopes to make an announcement about establishing a part-time dental clinic in the next few months.