LifeCircles PACE and Mobile Dental Partner Bring Healthy Smiles to Participants
Dental health is often neglected among older adults, particularly those with lower incomes, lack of insurance, and mobility challenges. A 2022 study by the Journal of Personalized Medicine shows that as many as 78% of older adults have experienced some tooth loss. This can have a significant impact on overall health and has even been found to have ties to cognitive impairment and dementia.
A program of Brio Living Services, LifeCircles PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), with locations in Holland and Muskegon, Michigan, has partnered with Enable Dental, providing at-home dental services—at no cost—to PACE participants, both in their homes and at the PACE Day Center locations.
PACE serves the psycho-social, medical, and supportive needs of low-income, nursing home-eligible adults, aged 55 and up, helping them remain living independently and safely in their own homes, with the help of PACE services. Most participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services.
“Quality and timely dental care can be difficult for beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid to access,” explains LifeCircles PACE Executive Director, Heidi Gras, LMSW. “Traditional Medicare does not cover dental care, and there aren’t many dental providers who accept Medicaid, due to the historically low reimbursement rates. Though Michigan Medicaid updated its reimbursement rates in 2023, there are many people who have had no or inadequate dental care for much of their lives. Untreated dental issues can greatly impact quality of life and overall health. Dental pain can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even poor nutrition or unintentional weight loss. Some studies have linked gum disease to an increased risk of dementia. LifeCircles partners with our members to help them reach their wellness goals. We are excited that our new partnership with Enable Dental will allow us to offer accessible and timely dental services at no cost to those who use our program.”
Director of Clinical Services at LifeCircles PACE, Shauna Wishka, PA-C, agrees: “Enable Dental’s focus on relationships, service, and accessibility aligns with our mission to serve people who may not be able to use traditional medical offices. Their team is skilled in offering dental care to individuals who may have significant dental anxiety or pain, which is exactly the type of personable care that our members expect from LifeCircles. Having the dental group at our locations frequently is a great benefit to the PACE members who use our program.”
One such LifeCircles participant is Scott Haverdink. “It’s a life changer,” says Scott, who recently received care and new upper dentures from Enable Dental. “They got me in, took care of it, and it was great,” says Scott. “They’ve been able to provide everything right on site. It will be nice to actually be able to eat a decent meal and not have as much issues.”
“Since starting this partnership, I think the thing that has surprised me the most is how much people enjoy going to the dentist after having not gone for a long time,” says Heidi. “They’re really excited to get here.”
Enable Dental offers not only cleanings and denture fittings, but root canals, crowns, extractions, and more. Enable Dental Regional Manager, Amanda Gushura, says, “It is probably the most rewarding experience because our patient base tends to be overlooked. They tend to be the ones that don’t go to the dentist regularly because of a variety of different reasons. Seeing that they’re able to get the care they need is the most rewarding part of this job.”
Heidi adds, “PACE programs serve people who predominantly use Medicare and Medicaid for medical coverage. We are proud to improve access to dental care for folks who may have had challenges finding affordable, quality care in the past.”
PACE’s interdisciplinary team of professionals provides participants with a “one-stop” shop model for all their healthcare needs, including comprehensive medical, occupational and physical therapy, pharmacy needs, nutrition and meals, health education, social and recreational activities, behavioral health, home care, and door-to-door transportation.
Thank you to Fox17 News for covering this story! Learn more about LifeCircles PACE and Brio Living Services’ other PACE sites across Michigan.