New dental clinic gets positive response

VW independent/submitted information

The Dental Center of Northwest Ohio (DCNO) opened its doors to the Van Wert community late last fall with the introduction of Van Wert Smiles.

DCNO is a non-profit dental practice serving 18 northwest Ohio counties at four locations. Although the newly renovated location hasn’t been in the area long, it’s receiving a positive reception as patients of all ages come in for appointments for a range of oral health services — from cleanings to root canals.

The new location opened through a partnership with Van Wert County Hospital, which provided critical support to DCNO in opening this practice. Van Wert Smiles is located in the Van Wert Health Center, 140 Fox Road.

Unlike the DCNO’s two other locations in Toledo and Findlay, the Van Wert office is smaller and resides in a rural community. Preceded by seven years of service from DCNO’s own Smile Express, a 40-foot mobile dental office, the new Van Wert Smiles location already has a dedicated patient base and hopes to expand by offering care for those with many forms of insurance, including all of the Medicaid plans, and offering reduced fees for those without insurance.

Even though the office has already opened and is serving patients, slight construction remains to ensure that all patients can get an appointment in a timely manner. Currently, four exam rooms are complete, with two more to be completed.

Mickey Rockhill, the manager for Findlay Smiles is leading the staff of dental professionals and administrative support staff. In addition to working with patients, dental hygienist Michelle Plaster will also spend one day a week providing community education and outreach in Van Wert County.