Four health centers across Maine are sharing more than $1.5 million in federal dollars to expand oral health services.
The four are among 19 health centers in Maine that receive funding from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The facilities are designed to serve medically underserved populations.
HRSA Communications Director Martin Kramer says there’s a variety of things the centers can do with the money.
“They’ll be able to purchase equipment. They’ll be able to hire more staff. They’ll be able to enlarge their oral health footprint, assuming they have one. If they don’t have one they’ll be able to establish one,” he says. “These health centers are private and public nonprofit entities. About 20 percent of the funding they receive they receive from our agency, the Health Resources and Services Administration.”
The four health centers are Katahdin Valley in Patten, Penobscot Community Health in Bangor, Pines Health Services in Caribou and Portland Community Health in Portland.
In all, 420 health centers in 47 states are being awarded a total of nearly $156 million.
