Join us for a round of golf at Open Door’s Third Annual Golf Outing on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills. We’ll honor Norman Nichols, former Open Door Board member. For more information, please contact Desta Lakew at (914) 502-1416.

Open Door Family Medical Centers has announced the expansion of dental care services in Mount Kisco that include the launch of a new mobile dental van unit. The fully equipped mobile “dentist’s office” allows the federally-qualified community health center to reach more under and uninsured children and families with significant oral health needs.

Open Door anticipates serving 1,370 patients, mainly minority and low-income individuals in Mount Kisco with the addition of the two-room dental van. Mount Kisco Open Door currently provides dental care one day per week. “We intend to staff the mobile unit five to six days per week and expect to see around 14 patients per day,” said Director of Dental Services, Dr. Janet Bozzone.

There is a severe need for affordable, quality dental care in Mount Kisco. Although the town is not recognized by the government as an area where dental access is scarce, few dental offices accept Medicaid and other medical assistance provided by Westchester County.

“Open Door has significant experience and success in outfitting, maintaining, and growing dental practices,” said Anita Wilenkin, Chief Operating Officer of Open Door. “We attract and retain skilled dentists, dental hygienists and support staff who deliver quality, community-specific oral health services in a culturally-competent manner.”  In 2008 Open Door served nearly 10,000 dental patients through all of their sites.

The mobile dental unit will be conveniently parked at Mount Kisco Boys & Girls Club located at 351 Main Street in Mount Kisco. The van will also travel to Neighbors Link as well as area churches, day care centers, and schools in order to serve a broader community.

Open Door received the highest level of Recognition as a patient-centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). It means that we are a medical practice that consistently treats patients according to the best available scientific evidence according to the principles defined by the largest primary care groups in the country, including the American College of Physicians, The Academy of Family Physicians and the Academy of Pediatrics. This is significant as only 12% of medical practices in the country qualify.

In a medical system where patients are often confronted with a complex and confusing health care system, having a personalized, coordinated and comprehensive care when they need it makes all the difference in health outcomes. Patients are at the center of their care team and communication is based on trust, respect and shared decision-making.

The medical home concept is not new, and is sometimes confused with institutional care or nursing homes. It is a way for physician led medical practices to integrate health care services for patients, ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time. It broadens access and reduces the risk that their medical problems get worse or require a hospital visit. Supported by a robust health information technology system a medical home is able to track patient test results, review medicines and follow up with providers involved in the care of the patient. That’s what Open Door provides every day to every patient.