For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — The founding community partners of the Ascension Dental Center have approved an agreement to transfer operations to Family Health La Clinica, effective January 1, 2019.

Family Health La Clinica is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”) that receives support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) to provide high quality, cost-effective, community-based comprehensive primary and preventive health care and additional supportive services for residents of medically underserved communities or populations regardless of the individual’s or family’s ability to pay for such services or their insurance status.

Ascension Dental Center was opened in 2002 by CAP Services Inc., Delta Dental of Wisconsin, and Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital to address unmet dental care needs in primarily Portage County. The practice transfer plan, recently approved by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), was developed after a lengthy discernment process with the intent to ensure the long-term financial viability and operational sustainability of the dental clinic.

“Ascension St. Michael’s is fortunate to have a legacy relationship with Family Health La Clinica which provides care at several locations in central Wisconsin,” said Cherrie Marti, Chief Operations Officer, Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital. “It was a logical course of action to engage in discussions to transition Ascension Dental Center to their operations.”

“Ascension Dental Center worked diligently to ensure that the most vulnerable had access to high quality oral health care services and has had an incredibly positive impact on the oral health of the community,” said Laura Waldvogel, CEO of Family Health La Clinica. “Ascension’s willingness to work with our organization to ensure continued access to these services speaks volumes about their commitment to the health and well-being of this community.”

The facility will be closed until January 15, for training and transition of the associates. It is expected to reopen under the name Stevens Point Dental Center on January 16. Stevens Point Dental Center will continue to accept Wisconsin BadgerCare/Medicaid, and per FQHC requirements, will expand to accept the uninsured and many dental insurance plans.

“One of the many positive features is that Stevens Point Dental Center patients will now have access to additional services and a sliding fee scale based on their family’s size and household income,” added Waldvogel. “Current Ascension Dental Center patients should experience little, if any, disruption in their care. The same providers and office staff will continue to ensure continuity of care for patients.”

The organizations anticipate Stevens Point Dental Center will see 3,500-4,000 patients in the next year. Until it reopens on January 16, patients with dental emergencies can contact Family Health La Clinica (Wautoma) at 920-787-5514.