Scenic Rivers Health Services receives $150,000 from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation to stabilize and expand dental access in Bigfork, MN
Delta Dental of Minnesota

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October 23rd, 2017



Scenic Rivers Health Services receives $150,000 from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation to stabilize and expand dental access in Bigfork, MN

Bigfork, MN — With a $150,000 grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Scenic Rivers Health Services will transform a well-established local clinic into a nonprofit community health center, ready to serve an additional 4,000 Itasca County-area people in need annually.

With this funding, Scenic Rivers will stabilize and expand dental access in Bigfork by adding additional dentists, hygienists, and dental therapists to Dr. Peter Taylor’s well-established practice, which he built over the past several decades. The building itself has been renovated to host four patient rooms, and the clinic’s imaging devices, equipment, and information systems have been updated.

“Scenic Rivers Health Services is very pleased to receive this grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. Our Bigfork Dental Clinic Project will expand dental access to an additional 4,000 patients. The Delta Dental Foundation has been a valued partner in helping us improve dental access and care in northern Minnesota,” said Michael Holmes, CEO of Scenic Rivers Health services.

Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation focuses on choosing grant recipients that show innovative strategies to expand oral health access for Minnesota’s underserved populations; demonstrate significant opportunity to promote and expand preventive and education services; and show an ability to measure results. “Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation’s mission is to expand access to dental health care for Minnesotans across the state,” said Joe Lally, Executive Director of Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. “We are grateful for Scenic Rivers’ important work, and appreciate the opportunity to help expand access to dental care for people in and around Bigfork.”

About Scenic Rivers Health Services

Originally started as Cook Area Health Services in 1979, Scenic Rivers Health Services has been providing patient-centered primary medical and dental care for almost 40 years. We currently serve an 8,300 square mile service area with six medical clinics and four dental clinics spread over three counties. Scenic Rivers Health Services is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, and is associated with Critical Access Hospitals in Cook and Bigfork, which provide emergency patient care 24 hours a day.

About Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation:

In 2009, Delta Dental of Minnesota’s parent sold a company and used 100 percent of the proceeds to fund Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. The foundation supports Delta Dental of Minnesota’s mission of improving the health of Minnesotans through oral health. Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation expands access to dental care for Minnesota’s underserved populations across the state by investing in programs and organizations that provide dental care to people in need. Since 2011, the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation 2 foundation invested more than $25 million in grants to nearly 70 programs and organizations that provide care and promote oral health.