Join the #CHPSmile Project
Friends,

Do you have good teeth, a wide open smile and a routine of regular dental care? If so, it might be easy to take dental care for granted. But for many of our neighbors here in Berkshire County, access to dental care is a challenge.

In 2022, CHP is launching #CHPSmile, a multi-year, $6 million project to expand dental and oral health care for thousands of our area residents.
 
Why is CHP expanding its dental services?

A full 20% of our Berkshire neighbors rely on Medicaid (MassHealth) for their dental care. That's 25,000 people. But only a handful of our region's dental practices accept patients who rely on Medicaid for health coverage. CHP is among these: our practices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington together care for about 4,000 patients.
 
This shortage of options for people covered by Medicaid means that many face long waits for routine dental care. They may have to wait longer to get treatment for dental problems. They may wind up in emergency rooms for dental problems that could be handled in a dental office.

This public health problem is not new. And it's not unique to the Berkshires.
 
Around the U.S. people with lower incomes face persistent barriers to good dental care. Poor oral health is linked to other problems, including chronic pain, depression, opioid addiction, low self-esteem, employment challenges and poor nutrition. People with better oral health tend to be healthier in general.
 
To address this inequity, CHP is expanding its existing dental practices in North Adams and Pittsfield in mid-2022.
 
Later this year, CHP will open a brand new family dental center in Adams, and expansion of our Great Barrington dental office will follow.
Above: Dentist Dr. Taphaphene Young of Great Barrington Family Dental, with three siblings who are now her patients.

How Will CHP Fund This Expansion?

  • As of Jan. 1, MassHealth substantially increased its reimbursements for dental care provided by community health centers like CHP. This 65% increase is long overdue and will cover many of our operational costs.

  • CHP is also assembling funding from public and private sources to support this expansion over the next several years.

  • And we are now making our initial outreach to you, our community.

Will You Join the #CHPSmile Project?
 
Your support will help make routine and urgent dental care possible for thousands of your neighbors, many of whom have not had access to routine oral health care.
 
More broadly, you can help us build an even playing field of respect, compassion, and dedication for everyone who needs excellent health care.
 
CHP offers a health care home for everyone who chooses us. When there are gaps in our region’s health care, CHP evaluates, plans, advocates and takes action. Most importantly, when we take bold steps, we do so with you as a partner.
 
Thank you for your support of #CHPSmile!

Lia Spiliotes, CEO
P.S. Are you interested in becoming a leader in our #CHPSmile campaign? If so, we'd love to talk! Contact me at lspiliotes@chpberkshires.org or Carrie Barth, Senior Director of Grants and Development, cbarth@chpberkshires.org, (413) 528-9311 ext. 1179.