September 5th, 2017
WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care’s Behavioral Health Department is pleased to announce a new program to help people cope with their fear of the dentist. It has been estimated that anywhere from 25 to 50 million Americans are unable to have important dental problems treated because of anxiety and fear.
VIEW CHANNEL 10’S HEALTHCHECK REPORT: “LINK” http://turnto10.com/features/health-landing-page/health-check-dental-phobia
“Without timely care, dental emergencies, medical problems and even lost confidence and opportunities can follow,” states Barry Giordano, MEd, MSSW, LICSW. “The health consequences of poor oral health can lead to social problems, medical issues and even life-threatening illnesses. In some cases, gum disease has been linked to the onset of diabetes, stroke and heart disease,” Giordano adds.
A psychotherapist for more than 40 years, Giordano has counseled hundreds of people with all types of anxiety disorders, including dental phobia. Working at a Federally-Qualified community health center, Giordano says, where primary medical, dental and behavioral health services are offered under one roof, provides an ideal environment for identifying patients who may need this service. Oral health services at Community Health Centers are delivered in an integrated manner with other comprehensive services. In other words, providers are able to leverage the resources and expertise available through an established infrastructure.
“The need for an organized program of this kind in Rhode Island and the increased number of people presenting dental phobia symptoms motivated me to develop this program,” Giordano says.
The program is designed primarily for adults and will offer both individual and group therapy depending on the wishes of the patient. It is comprised of several components and coping strategies to gradually desensitize the dental experience.
“Not everyone who suffers from Dental Phobia exhibits the same symptoms nor are the root causes always the same. Some may fear needles, blood, feeling trapped, embarrassed, or pain. Whatever the reason, be it memories of a bad dental experience or feeling out of control while in the chair, dental phobia can be treated and cured,” asserts Giordano.
For further information about this program, call (401) 295-9706, ext. 204.
###
Founded in 1909, WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care is a community health center that provides
primary medical, dental and behavioral health services to 15,000 Rhode Islanders at its facilities in Burrillville, Foster, North Scituate and North Kingstown.
Friends and former colleagues of Joseph Casey, retired WellOne dentist, gathered virtually on November 5, 2020 to honor Dr. Casey as the 2020 recipient of the June Rockwell Levy Public… read more
In recognition and thanks for her many years of voluntary service to WellOne and its predecessor (Bayside Family Healthcare) both as a member of the Board of Directors and as… read more
WellOne would like to express our sincere thanks to the supporters of our 2020 Signature Fundraising Initiative “WellOne Strong”. We would also like to acknowledge the event sponsor – Neighborhood… read more
WELLONE PRIMARY MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE’S FUNDRAISER FEATURES MUSIC AND DANCING TO BRASS ATTACK February 25, 2020 – WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care, a non-profit, Federally-Qualified Health Center, is… read more
December 2019 ‘” WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care is pleased to announce it has successfully achieved the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) status for its health center in Scituate,… read more
Congratulations to everyone at WellOne on achieving the 2019 Gold Seal Quality Improvement Award from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The award recognizes WellOne as a Health Center… read more
WellOne Providers, Charles Fraser, MSN, APRN-FNP-C; Stephanie Pinto, MSN, APRN-FNP-C and Alice Mui, MSN, APRN-FNP-C, joined CharterCARE’s (3rd from left) Dr. Michael Alavian, a Urologist, in a symbolic ribbon cutting… read more
July 2019 — WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care is pleased to announce the addition of Alice Mui, MSN, APRN, FNP-C and Sheila M. Murphy, PA-C to its team of… read more
April 2019 — WellOne Primary, Medical and Dental Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center with several offices in Rhode Island, has announced that it will partner with CharterCARE Health Partners… read more
WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care, a non-profit, Federally-Qualified Health Center held its signature fundraising event on April 5, 2019, at The Alpine Country Club. In 2018, WellOne served over… read more