Community dental clinic to open in Menomonee Falls
The Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic saw about five patients a day when it opened in 2008. It now sees about 45 patients on a typical day — and its growth is set to continue.
The clinic plans to expand with a second site, in Menomonee Falls, next spring, an expansion made possible by a $1.65 million gift from Froedtert Health.
The new clinic would be another step in the efforts to improve access to dental care for people who are covered by Medicaid programs, such as BadgerCare Plus, or who are uninsured.
That’s been a longstanding problem throughout the state. Most dentists don’t accept or limit their number of patients covered by Medicaid programs because the state’s reimbursement
costs don’t cover their costs. And access is even more limited for people who are uninsured.
The Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic had been pondering opening a second clinic when it was approached by the health system, which includes Community Memorial Hospital, about expanding to Menomonee Falls.
“The stars aligned for this project,” said Kerry Freiberg, vice president of community engagement for Froedtert Health.
The Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic initially focused on providing care to children. It has since expanded to provide care to adults.
The clinic, at 210 NW Barstow St. in Waukesha, provides dental care to about 3,500 people, including 3,000 children, said Renee Ramirez, executive director of the clinic.
Almost nine out of 10 children return for follow-up visits — and more than half of them don’t have any cavities when they do.
“We’re their dental home,” Ramirez said.
New patients can get appointments within two weeks — down from four to six weeks two years ago — partly because the clinic’s patients generally now have healthier teeth and require less care.
The clinic, which employs about 22 people full-time and part-time and has an operating budget of about $1.45
“That’s what makes us successful. It really is a community dental clinic.” Renee Ramirez Executive director of the Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic
million, also has added new services since its start.
It can treat children and adults who need to be put under anesthesia to be treated because of cognitive or physical disabilities. And it has volunteer dentists who will do specialized procedures, such as root canals and extractions.
The clinic also contracts with the state to provide screenings, sealants and fluoride varnishes at eight schools in Waukesha County.
About 48% of the clinic’s budget comes from billing Medicaid programs.
The reimbursement rate for a comprehensive exam for a child, for example, is $21.17, according to the clinic. The balance of its budget comes from grants and gifts from the community, including ProHealth Care.
“That’s what makes us successful,” Ramirez said. “It really is a community dental clinic.”
The new clinic in Menomonee Falls — which will be in the Falls Plaza II building at N81W15062 Appleton Ave. — will start slowly and initially have one dentist and one hygienist.
But the long-term plan is for the clinic to be similar in size to the clinic in Waukesha.