Clinic gains new dentist

This story first appeared in the Nov. 3 edition of the Kansan.

Dentist Melissa Hanschu started restoring smiles before she even saw any patients at Health Ministries this month.

The safety-net clinic was without a dentist, which was provided by grant funds from April until October, leaving Brett Roufs, a long-time volunteer dentist at the clinic, and Pamela McCullough to see as many patients as they could in their limited hours at the clinic.

“We had local dentists respond to the need here,” Director Tina Payne said. “But due to inconsistency, we lost patients. Now we hope people will give us another try.”

Hanschu joined Tippin Dental Group when she graduated from dental school, and part of what enticed her to come was Dr. R.J. Tippin’s offer to work at Health Ministries three half days each week.

“I’m passionate about serving people who can’t afford dental care,” Hanschu said. “Dr. Tippin was willing to give me a job not only working in his office but also to work here.”

Tippin entered into a contract agreement with PrarieStar Clinic in Hutchinson, which partnered with Health Ministries to open the dental clinic in Newton.

Funding for services offered by Health Ministries always has been from creative sources. There’s no federal dollars available, meaning Health Ministries gets funding from United Way, grants and private sources.

For example, for the dental clinic to get started, it took equipment donations from area dentists, grant funds and private donations.

“We still have community volunteers and a lot of donated equipment,” said Hygienist Maggie Smet. “We are supported by area dentists. We’re working hard, together, to take care of those who need dental care.”

But that lack of federal funding doesn’t mean there isn’t a need.

“There is a huge need for dental care in Kansas,” Smet said. “You can go to any county in Kansas and find people who need care but can’t afford care.”

Smet gives cleanings, considered routine for those who have access to care, on a regular basis to those who haven’t seen a dentist in years.

When Health Ministries needed a new dentist, which was part of a grant program they cooperated with PrarieStar to create, Tippin Dental stepped forward to offer a contract agreement.

“We’re so thankful to Dr. Tippin for coming through with this solution,” Payne said. “The hope is once our grant ends in May, we will be able to continue this agreement with Tippin and maintain a relationship with them.”

That would mean Hanschu will continue seeing patients at Health Ministries, and dental care will be consistent at the clinic.

Hanschu said it’s a natural fit — and not only because of her passion to serve.

“Dr. Tippin finds ways to work with patients,” Hanschu said. “I’m allowed to take patients from here to their office to do things we don’t have equipment for.”

Dr. Roufs still volunteers at the clinic, meaning having Hanschu allows the clinic to see more patients — patients who, Payne said, may have no where else to turn.

“We are not here to compete with private practice,” Payne said. “We are her to serve people who don’t have access to dental care. We accept patients with insurance who don’t have a dental home, and we do serve the uninsured.”