Choptank Community Health System CEO Sara Rich and YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO Robbie Gill have announced the two organizations are working in partnership to provide pediatric dental well health and screening services to YMCA families.
The Choptank Health and YMCA partnership launched in late October at the Easton Family YMCA with children participating in Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline, and Queen Anne’s County Public School’s virtual learning programs.
Choptank Health’s Chief Dental Officer Sandra Garbely- Kerkovich, DMD and her team provided students with free dental screenings—which include examinations of the teeth and all soft tissues of the mouth—along with instruction on brushing and flossing, and education on the importance of eating healthy foods in good oral hygiene.
Parents received any findings in confidentiality, with a list of resources for any follow-up care recommendations. Choptank Health’s dental case manager is a member of the partnership team and works with families in dental care coordination as a follow-up to the screenings.
“We needed to be creative with new options in providing care without schools in session and with the current hybrid learning models in place,” said Rich. “During normal times, many pediatric patients use our school-based health centers for their health and dental needs.
“The COVID pandemic has required us to rethink and expand our patient outreach while providing a continuum of care. This partnership helps us reach children who may not be in the schools for ChoptankHealth to provide services in our school-based health centers.”
“During COVID, the YMCA stepped up to provide families with expanded academic support, before- and after-school care programs, and virtual learning,” said Gill. “More than 200 children participate in EastonYMCA’s programs, for example, and now that’s 200 children who have the opportunity for important dental screenings no matter their circumstances, thanks to Choptank Health.”
“The partnership made even more sense when we discovered how much our organizations’ core values and missions aligned,” said Rich. “As we began exploring our options, we knew we needed to bring health care to where the people are, so the Y became a logical place for serving more of the public in this meaningful way.”
The YMCA’s programs are centered on building a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all through building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Choptank Health’s mission is to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive and integrated health care for all.
“When Choptank approached us to explore this partnership, I knew immediately this was a win-win for Y families,” said Gill. “We are dedicated to providing our members with opportunities to improve their health, and Choptank Health’s dental services are a perfect complement to our already existing diabetes prevention and Livestrong at the YMCA programs.”
“Dental health is so important to your overall health,” said Garbely-Kerkovich. “Healthy minds and bodies help support our children’s academic successes. This partnership is playing a big part in helping to serve the community in these challenging times.”
“This pandemic has shown that our YMCA is not only a cornerstone of our community, but an organization that reaches out like a web—connecting people, nonprofits, and other organizations like Choptank Health, all for the greater good,” said YMCA of the Chesapeake Branch Executive DirectorDerek White. “I can’t think of anything more important, or more necessary, than fostering this community spirit as we continue through this COVID pandemic.”
Choptank Health and the YMCA of the Chesapeake are planning to expand the free dental screenings to include more YMCA locations and more services, with announcements made to YMCA members, atymcaofthechesapeake.org, or at choptankhealth.org.
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