SPRINGFIELD – Springfield area residents will now have a more permanent solution when it comes to their emergency dental needs.
HSHS St. John’s Hospital and the Central Counties Health Centers (CCHC) are now providing emergency dental services to patients at the new CCHC/HSHS St. John’s Dental Clinic at the hospital. This new clinic is the first of its kind in Springfield, and officials say it’s meeting a previously unmet need in the community.
In 2015, 2,300 patients came to St. John’s emergency department due to dental issues.
“Too often we see patients with serious dental pain, and we can only treat the symptoms. We needed a more permanent solution to help our patients, and the on-site dental clinic offers that,” says Amy Jones, Executive Director for St. John’s emergency services.
Emergency room treatment, according to medical professionals, is not usually appropriate for those with dental pain. However, many people have nowhere else to turn. Those patients also end up back in the ER weeks later because they do not or can’t follow up with a dental provider.
President and CEO at CCHC, Heather Burton, says she and her colleagues knew they needed to do more to help the community’s dental health needs, and this clinic will help.
“We have an existing referral process with St. John’s Hospital for patients who need dental care, but transportation is sometimes a barrier. We knew we needed to do more, and that’s what we are doing with this new emergency dental clinic,” Burton explains.
The new clinic is staffed by a dentist and dental assistant offering services including exams, fillings and extractions for patients of all ages. It is located on the 9th floor of St. John’s and is accessible through the emergency department, main entrance or the 9th Street entrance adjacent to the St. John’s Pavilion.
The clinic is currently open two days a week, Monday and Tuesday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Patients can schedule an appointment by calling Central Counties at 217-788-2300. Walk-ins are also welcome, and patients can even be referred by the St. John’s emergency department.
Additional treatment options will be available at CCHC’s main location on Cook Street with transportation resources provided if the need arises. Those interested in more information should call Central Counties.
