Shaw Family Dental Center offers a variety of services

April 06-- Apr. 6--Whether it's a four-year-old having their teeth cleaned for the first time, a teenager getting Invisalign braces or an adult receiving basic dental care, the Shaw Family Dental Center offers a variety of services.

The center, which opened in November, serves Shaw Industries associates and their family members who are covered by the company's dental insurance plan, starting at age 4.

The center is a partnership with Onsite Dental, "a national leader in patient-centered, evidence-based dentistry," a press release states. The center offers an experienced staff and a board-certified dentist who "utilize state-of-the-art equipment to provide affordable, high-quality dental care, including dental exams, X-rays, dental cleanings, periodontal treatments, composite fillings, sealants, crowns/bridges, root canals, some oral surgical procedures, night guards, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening and Invisalign orthodontics."

Mindi Craig, director of health and wellness benefits for Shaw, said there have been more than 600 appointments since the center's opening in November.

"We think it's important to provide opportunities to our patients and encourage them to make healthy decisions," Craig said. "It points to our vision at Shaw of creating a better future. We want to make sure those services are available and the barriers to care are removed anytime we can do that."

The center, which includes three exam rooms, operates inside of an Onsite Dental mobile unit that sits next to the Shaw Family Health Center at 2659 Abutment Road. The health center opened in 2013 and offers primary and acute care, including services for diabetes, physical therapy, physicals and lab work.

Craig said between the health and dental centers there are about 3,500 active patients.

"Given the connection between oral and physical health, the (centers) cross-refer patients in an effort to offer patient-centered, comprehensive care," a press release said.

There are four employees on site at the dental center: Dr. Edward DeBartolo, dentist; Mary Crabtree, Onsite Dental practice manager; Rosalia Diaz, dental hygienist; and Yuri Hernandez, dental assistant. Craig said half of the staff is bilingual.

The dental center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shaw offers insurance through Delta Dental. If employees are enrolled in that insurance plan they are eligible to use the dental center. Appointments are scheduled through an online portal.

DeBartolo, who has been with the center since November, sees between eight and 10 patients a day. He also helps the hygienist.

DeBartolo said he has been a practicing dentist for a "long time."

"I love the concept here," he said. "I think it's very convenient for all the employees."

He said the dental center concept works "very well" for Shaw employees and his staff.

"We all love working here with them, they have great management and are good people," DeBartolo said.

Craig said both teams work hard to make sure patients' needs are met.

"If a patient calls the dental center in the morning with a toothache, we're going to see them the same day," she said. "They may have to come back for service, but we will see what is going on."

"When new patients come in the doctor does a complete treatment plan," Craig said. "Patients know when they walk out the door what their out-of-pocket costs will be."

Craig said the co-pay varies depending on the insurance plan the associates have.

Crabtree said for services that OnSite doesn't provide, patients are referred to another office.

"We typically help patients get appointments with a doctor in their network," she said. "If a patient needs a surgical extraction, for their comfort level we refer them to an oral surgeon in our network or preferred provider organization (PPO).

In a press release, Mike Fromm, chief human resources officer for Shaw, said the company wants to "empower associates to lead healthy lives and place an emphasis on their well-being."

"We are excited to open the Shaw Family Dental Center," he said. "Providing this resource for convenient dental care is one of the many ways we deliver upon our corporate vision to create a better future for our associates and their families."

Craig said the employees' reaction to the dental center has been "very positive."

"Everyone is excited to see that we offer services to them and their family at extended hours and competitive prices," she said.

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