Oswego is the latest to get dental services from Pulaski-based provider
By Stefan Yablonski
ConnextCare’s registered dental hygienist Holly Steffen began seeing dental patients at the school-based health center at the Frederick Leighton Elementary School in May.
“Our school-based dental program in Leighton Elementary will, for now, serve the students in this school as well as the high school, directly across the street,” said Tricia Peter-Clark, ConnextCare president and CEO. “This is huge for the Oswego area as it adds services to what some call a dental desert.”
Steffen has extensive experience as a dental hygienist and is dedicated to improving the oral health of the students within these schools, Peter-Clark added.
It is ConnextCare’s 16th site across Oswego County. It is also the sixth school district within the county that ConnextCare offers school-based health center services.
They also provide dental services in the following locations as part of their comprehensive school-based health center program:
• Sandy Creek Central School
• Mexico Elementary/High School
• Mexico Middle School
• APW Elementary School
• APW Junior-Senior High School
• Pulaski Elementary School
• Pulaski Junior-Senior High School
“All of the services we offer through the school-based health centers are convenient for the students and their families as we can see these patients without them having to leave the school,” Peter-Clark said.
Students now have access to routine cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants and comprehensive oral health education.
They provide dental-only services at Fairgrieve Elementary School.
ConnextCare also has a direct relationship with The Manor at Seneca Hill to provide basic dental support to their residents.
“ConnextCare also provides full scale dental services in our Pulaski office as well as at our Fulton location,” Peter-Clark said.
Patients’ insurances are billed for services provided.
However, whatever is received by ConnextCare is considered payment in full and the guarantors are not billed for any remaining balance or co-pay, she explained.
ConnextCare partnered with the Oswego district to establish a comprehensive school-based health center program.
They plan to offer primary care and mental health later this year, Peter-Clark said.
“Yes! Construction to develop the full school-based health center program will begin at the end of the school year,” she added. “We hope to be operational toward the start of the next school year, 2024-25).”
An enrollment form will need to be completed in order to register children for dental services.
If you are interested in enrolling a student in the dental program in Oswego, visit www.connextcare.org/SchoolBased/EnrollmentForms.
Enrollment forms can also be found at the schools main offices or any main ConnextCare location.
