“I do have a lot of concern for the people in the Medicaid system, people living in poverty and of what the future is looking like for that population. We were built to fight the war on poverty and we’re going to keep fighting and moving forward and hopefully history will not repeat itself when it comes to healthcare.”
By GRETA SHUSTER
Beacon Media Staff Writer
This story was originally published in the Warwick Beacon, a publication partner of Ocean State Stories.
WARWICK — The Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) is helping Warwick to smile bright by reviving their dental programs in Warwick this year. The Dental Center located on Buttonwoods Avenue held its grand reopening earlier this summer to announce the newly renovated facility. The Molar Express, a school-based pediatric dental program, returns to the West Bay for the 25-26 school year.
The new Dental Center, housed in the former Wilcox Health Center, complements the new CCAP Health Center located right next door, forming a convenient healthcare campus. The Dental Center officially opened in June and is currently accepting new patients after being closed for seven months for renovation.
CCAP, who is celebrating their 65th anniversary this year, is dedicated to supporting holistic health, according to Tara Pratt, director of Dental, Community Engagement and Mobile Health. “At CCAP, we try to take care of the whole person. So, we try to be able to provide those medical-behavioral health and dental care for overall well-being,” she said.
Pratt said that despite the great need for services, CCAP “just hadn’t been able to fulfill that need.” Two years ago, CCAP constructed the building next door and moved the health facility there. With an empty building, CCAP was able to transform the space into a renovated facility for dental services to more effectively address this need.
“At a time when healthcare workforce shortages are affecting access to care nationwide, we’re proud to be expanding our services and welcoming new patients into our community,” said Christopher Mansfield, President and CEO of CCAP in a release.
With this expansion, CCAP continues its mission to provide high-quality, affordable and accessible care to the community, ensuring that patients receive the full spectrum of services they need at the Buttonwoods campus.
The upgraded dental facility houses modern treatment rooms and advanced diagnostic equipment. In tandem with the adjacent health center, CCAP now offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, including primary care, behavioral health services and dental care.
War against poverty
“I do have a lot of concern for the people in the Medicaid system, people living in poverty and of what the future is looking like for that population,” said Pratt. “We were built to fight the war on poverty and we’re going to keep fighting and moving forward and hopefully history will not repeat itself when it comes to healthcare.”
The CCAP dental services are federally funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and by charging insurance companies for users who have coverage.
The Dental Center currently employs two full-time dentists and two full-time hygienists. “There is definitely a shortage of care, a shortage of providers, which is why I’m super excited to be expanding our services and being able to bring on new doctors so we can open up our doors to people in need,” said Pratt.
In addition to the new Dental Center, the Molar Express program is gearing up for the start of the school year. The Molar Express aims to provide pediatric dental care for underserved communities across the state. This mobile dental initiative, which launched in 2007, provides on-site oral health services to children at schools, Head Start programs and other community-based locations.
The program partners with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a fully equipped, 40-foot mobile dental clinic staffed by experienced dental professionals. The Molar Express is facilitated through partnering middle and elementary schools. Parents must enroll their students and sign consent forms so that they can receive full treatment including cavity fillings and extractions, if necessary.
According to a press release, in 2024 alone, the Molar Express served nearly 1,500 children statewide—96% of whom were either Medicaid-insured or uninsured. All dental insurance plans are accepted at the Molar Express, and for uninsured children, services are offered at no cost to families.
