Children’s Dental Services Expands Community Dental Clinic in Northeast Minneapolis to Serve 15,000 More Patients Per Year

Clinic and its partners bring focus to improving access to oral health care for underserved populations in the community

MINNEAPOLIS (October 10, 2024) –Today, Children’s Dental Services (CDS) celebrated community and oral health access with the “grand re-opening” of its expanded critical access dental clinic in Northeast Minneapolis. The expansion includes 16 dental operatories and will allow the clinic to serve an additional 15,000 patients per year at a time when provider shortages and other factors can create barriers to access for many patients in the state.

The Northeast clinic will serve as a community-based dental hub that provides accessible services to the residents of the North, Northeast, and St. Anthony Main neighborhoods in Minneapolis. All of these communities are designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The new clinic’s increased capacity will improve access across these communities and serve as an emergency and follow-up care resource for all Minnesotans.

This multi-year project was supported by Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Minnesota Department of Health, Hennepin County, and the City of Minneapolis.

“This project exemplifies the incredible advancements that are made via the intersection of community partners and public health service providers such as Children’s Dental Services,” said Sarah Wovcha, Executive Director of CDS. “Exceptional livability, health equity, and vibrant community are being created for Minnesotans through these linkages.”

“Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation is pleased to support nonprofit critical access dental clinics across the state as we aim to help to address challenges around oral health care access and availability for all Minnesotans,” said Stephanie Albert, President of the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. “Good oral healthcare is critical to overall healthcare.”

“Our children’s health and wellness will always remain a top priority,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “At the City of Minneapolis, we are thankful for partners who are dedicated to improving the lives of our youth and working together to make our community stronger. This clinic will have real impact on those it serves.”

Access to appropriate oral health care is important to the overall health and wellbeing of Minnesotans. Optimal oral health starting in childhood and continuing in adulthood has been associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other negative health outcomes.

Critical access dental clinics play an essential role in providing oral health care to underserved populations in Minnesota, including Minnesotans on Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, or those without insurance. Currently, critical access dentists deliver over 60% of dental care to Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, despite being a small fraction of licensed dentists in the State.

Today’s community celebration festivities included an Ojibwe drum welcome by Nation Wright, an address from Mayor Jacob Frey, an Ecuadorian celebration dance, comments from providers and partners, and tours of the new eco-friendly clinic.

The expanded Northeast clinic will operate as CDS’ headquarters and will engage a diverse workforce to deliver culturally-appropriate services and improve the lives of low-income and diverse residents of the community. In addition to serving the local community, the clinic will act as a dental hub for the region. Through its innovative “hub and spoke” portable delivery model, CDS leverages its clinic “hub” sites to provide access to portable dental care for children and families, including school-based services. Through this model, CDS is currently serving patients in 66 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. CDS will open an additional clinical dental hub in Duluth later this month and is also in development for building clinical dental hub on the iron range.

About Children’s Dental Services

Established in 1919, Children’s Dental Services (CDS) is the oldest not for profit provider of community-based oral health services in Minnesota, serving schools, Head Start centers and hundreds of community-based sites with a full range of preventive and restorative dental services within 66 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.

About Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation

Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation supports optimal oral and overall health outcomes while advancing social equities by expanding access to dental care and investing in the communities across Minnesota.