Penobscot Community Health Care is a non-profit organization governed by a board of community volunteers, incorporated in 1997. We are passionate about our Mission at PCHC We provide comprehensive, integrated primary health care servicesfor allto improve the health and wellbeing of our patients and the Maine communities we serve. Our vision for success is a community in which everyone has access to quality, cost-effective health care, where people are empowered to advocate for their personal goals and needs and are supported by community-based resources, and where health encompasses physical and emotional wellness, personal dignity, and a sense of belonging.
Focusing on the health of every patient, Penobscot Community Health Care offers a medical home with access to many health services in addition to primary health care, such as dental, integrated mental health, pharmacy, physical therapy, case management, health and nutrition education, chronic disease management, speech and audiology services, and many medical specialists.
PCHCs goal is to provide access to affordable, quality, health care for all, keeping both the insured and uninsured healthy, by focusing on prevention and health care management rather than a reliance on emergency room and inpatient services when sick.
Restructuring and new leadership have brought lots of change to the Dental Center. One thing that hasnt changed much in more than a decade: is the tight-knit hygiene team. Our dental hygienists have been like glue during the transitionbringing new groups together and focusing on morale and fun. To celebrate National Dental Hygienist Week, we wanted to highlight this special group.
The clinic features a roster of six hygienists with more than 70 years of experience collectively here at PCHC. Its readily apparent, however, that the number of years isnt the big deal; its how amazingly close this crew is.
Weve just been through a lot together, said Amanda Laganiere, RDH. Not every day do I want to get up and come to work, but I am guaranteed to laugh. In the last few months, Ive been through a lot of personal struggles. And those girls have been here for me. And I dont know what I would do without them.Carrie Curtis, RDH echoed those sentiments when sitting down with members of the team, noting that what theyve built at the Dental Center isnt commonly found.
I feel like if you were to go into private practice, with this many hygienists, Im not sure youd have that same bond, Curtis said. Laganiere added I think our dynamic is unique. I have a few hygiene friends that also work in other FQHCs throughout the state. And its not the same picture thats painted. So Id like to think its that we work well together, and we are all family-oriented.
I think we give new people that come in a great sense of comfort, Curtis said. We have a lot of new assistants and I think were all super inviting and welcoming. We can help you take an x-ray, and get the answer that you need, even if we dont know what it is. For dentists that come in, we know where to find things. We know how referrals work. We can be a great resource.
That institutional knowledge has been integral in day-to-day planning but has also may gone a long way in shaping the future of the practice, as the dental hygiene teams shares perspectives with new leadership.
We see a lot of patients with extensive medical histories, who are maybe not the healthiest or have the best access to care. Maybe they havent seen the medical world for a while. So coming in and teaching them about how issues may be intertwined. Explaining, `you have uncontrolled diabetes, and here is how its affecting your mouth. For me the rewarding part is teaching people the connection between overall health and dental health, Laganiere said.
Sometimes patients may come in and just want to talk and it could have nothing to do with teeth. But we just listen. We see patients who maybe dont have a lot going on outside of the dental world and this is a way to socialize and connect.
Reviews
Rating 2.5 out of 5 based on 70 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestRa Nettleton
a year ago
Wont even answer the phone during business hours, omw to the emergency room instead
bryanna kuhn
a year ago
Trued calling multiple times within bussiness hours just to have my call go directly to voicemail. Seems bad for bussiness
Gigi Plourde
2 years ago
Terrible experience
Chelsea Armstrong
2 years ago
They lie and hang up on ppl oh and there emergency dental is a joke they don't help kids only adults never ever will I bring my children to this place watch urselves if u go here cause there ain't no help for kiddos here
M Miller
2 years ago
If I could give this place a zero rating, I would. The level of incompetence is absolutely astounding. I had an appointment for 10am, this morning. And, after arriving, I was told that I'd have to reschedule for tomorrow because they hadn't received the medical clearance I had requested from another provider. I asked if I had any type of window, in order to get the medical clearance faxed over, and still be able to keep my appointment for today? I was informed that I had a "fifteen minute window, from your original appointment time, to get the clearance faxed over." And, the fax was then received before that time had expired. After that, came a bunch of excuses, and apologies, as too why, Dr. Duncan, suddenly could not see me today. And, yet, the person that was scheduled after me could still be seen. I would highly recommend looking elsewhere for dental care. Otherwise, between their long wait times for dental services, and their sheer incompetence, you will suffer. I can honestly say that I've never had such a bad experience with a healthcare provider, as I did with PCHC Dental Clinic. If PCHC expects their clients too keep their appointments, then why isn't the same standard required of their dentists? Cancelling a clients appointment, within minutes of their scheduled time, is absolutely not okay. And, it's definitely a bad business practice. *Edit - June 16, 2022..... After being certain that I was being punked this morning, after listening to a voicemail from PCHC Dental Clinic, stating that they wanted to "get you scheduled for the tooth extraction that unfortunately we weren't able to do last month", I realized that it was in fact the dental clinic. So, PCHC Dental Clinic, is this some type of joke??? Because I was suffering so badly, with a tooth that you refused too pull, I had too pay $1400.00, out of pocket, for a root canal, because the tooth extraction would have needed to be done by an oral surgeon, and cost about three times more than the root canal! So, let me reiterate what I told one of the dental clinic supervisors, on the day that Dr. Duncan refused to do my dental work; I will NEVER return to PCHC Dental Clinic. And, I hope other people have the common sense too do the same. And, a final word; you should have any state and federal funding, that you receive, yanked.
jillian foster
2 years ago
I have had dental work done since I was 6 yrs old and have all crowns and bridges. It started in early Feb. One of my teeth started hurting. I called PCHC where I've been going for 7 yrs (only needed maintenance). Was advised they could give me an appt a week away, said I could come to the walk in clinic in a few days but gave me no advice about the pain. Finally got in to the walk-in clinc and the dentist advised I needed a root canal and referred me to an endodontist. When I checked out I asked when would they send the referral. "Today or tomorrow." About 3 weeks went by and hadn't heard anything. Called PCHC who advised they were behind with referrals (I bet they overlooked it). they sent the referral that day. Of course I had to wait a few weeks to get an appt. That dr said a root canal was not possible, that the tooth would need to be pulled, so a referral back to PCHC. Again I waited about 3 weeks only to learn they didn't know anything about it. Of course I knew they had received notice but I don't think they know their own process. Couldn't get an appt until July or Aug. Tbey got a cancellation and booked me an appt for a couple days later. The morning of my appt they called and said the dr reviewed my record and decided because of my "health" (translation age)she was referring me to an oral surgeon. After 4 mos I still have the tooth and an appt with the oral surgeon. If they can't fit me in for the extraction, I'll still have the tooth in Aug. this has been a nightmare.
Chelsey Grove
2 years ago
Dr Ford - Amazing, Susan, the hygienist also amazing! Elisa in scheduling went above and beyond to make sure my son and I found a convenient time to get our teeth cleaned!
Eddy
2 years ago
Takes multiple appointments and bills just for them to tell you what you already know. Had a loose filling and crack on tooth and waited so long for them to finally fill or extract it I went to an oral surgeon who was absolutely wonderful. Won't be going back and wouldn't recommend.
Kelly Hanson
2 years ago
One word...USELESS
Shelley Babcock
2 years ago
Not a good company to employees
Edmara V.
2 years ago
Don't waste your time going to this place, it will take time to make an appointment and when you do, they will cancel it, if you are in pain you will continue in pain.
David Burke
2 years ago
Awesome place dr. Ford is a great doctor and so is his staff there very kind people. All you people complain if you dont like the place then dont go there you Maine people got no respect
Joshua Pike
2 years ago
Great staff and very caring. My teeth are jacked from a long battle with depression, anxiety, and combat related ptsd. The nurse I had was very sweet and carrying and so was the doctor. My ptsd and anxiety make it very hard to motivate myself to get to the dentist because I feel embarrassed about my mouth. Going tomorrow morning only after 6 days of healing After a recent double surgical removal and their empathy and compassion made me feel a ton more at ease. Thanks,
haylestormable
2 years ago
Used to come here for cleanings and orthodontics. My retainer broke a few months after the pandemic started, I call to see if I could come in and get a new one made and get told "we're only doing emergency stuff right now". I tell the lady on the phone that if I don't get a new one soon my teeth will shift, she proceeds to laugh and say "itll take months for that to happen". If it weren't for a website I found that makes retainers my teeth would have been ruined. The fact that she downplayed the importance of a retainer and even laughed at my statement disgusts me. I dont ever intend on coming back
Don Plank
2 years ago
The best dentist I have Ever had an I'm 66,is Dr.Ford..I never met a better or nicer dentist!!!!
ERIN MARSHALL
2 years ago
My husband went in for an emergency apt for severe tooth pain. They made an apt for 3 weeks out and scheduled for repair/ Ext. We called and asked for an earlier apt a few times and then one day we were able to get in for the Ext of the tooth. When we got there, the person had mistakenly scheduled for a re-evaluation instead of the Ext/ repair so my husband again left there with no relief. They apologized and scheduled us for another 2 weeks out. They called the day before the apt was supposed to be and said that they needed to cancel the apt and that we would need to reschedule. They are now scheduling us for another 3 weeks away. This whole time he has been in pain. I understand they made a mistake in the scheduling but they don't seem to be even worried about rectifying it and getting him in any sooner. This place used to be really good. I am disappointed with the way they are now.
Graystone Gardens
2 years ago
Absolutely the worst dental experience I've ever had.
Jessica Labelle
2 years ago
Very frustrating.
Allison Pinkham
2 years ago
Outstanding care! I used the walk in clinic and LOVED how friendly everyone was. I will definitely be a patient there now!
Scott Lynch
2 years ago
Place is a joke
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