BELFAST — In keeping with a Northeast Delta Dental Foundation mission, and in recognition of the critical care provided by the Waldo County Dental Clinic, the Dental Foundation recently awarded Waldo County General Hospital a grant of $9,681 to support the continued delivery of critically-needed dental services for Waldo County residents.

That mission is to improve the access to, and the quality of, oral health care and education for the public and the dental communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Nothing is easy when your teeth hurt, according to a news release. Yet hundreds of people across Waldo County live with chronic pain because they can’t afford the most basic dental care. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to more serious health problems, including premature births, and chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

In June 2013, Waldo County General Hospital launched Waldo County Dental Care to improve access to preventive and restorative dental care. As the only safety net dental clinic in Waldo County, the clinic helps improve overall health, employability, and well-being for adults living in Waldo County.

Since opening five years ago, Waldo County Dental Care has treated 2,256 low-income, uninsured adults, the great majority of whom had not seen a dentist in over five years. In addition to providing urgent care, the dental team is committed to educating patients and the community about the importance of daily self-care and the need for regular check-ups and preventive care.

The clinic’s highly reduced fees are made possible by the strong support of generous community members, local businesses, area charities, the City of Belfast and health-focused foundations, such as the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation.

“We are proud to support Waldo County Dental Care’s mission to provide quality dental care to residents of Waldo County as this is in harmony with the Foundation’s mission to improve access to and the quality of oral health care and education in the communities we serve. Poor dental health can impact daily activities like eating nutritious foods and have negative effects on the cardiovascular system -- or lead to infection,” said Kathleen Walker, treasurer of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation and director of Marketing and Communications at Northeast Delta Dental, in a news release.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is a 2017 Becker’s Hospital Review Critical Access Hospital to Know that operates as a family of services with Waldo County Medical Partners and Penobscot Shores Retirement Community. Through these organizations, we are committed to providing excellent care for patients and their families in a friendly, caring atmosphere, according to a news release.

Services are provided as efficiently as possible with an eye on the future and in collaboration with other community-minded agencies. Waldo County General Hospital is a member of the MaineHealth system and Coastal Healthcare Alliance.

For more information, visit wcgh.org.