Nonprofit brings dental services to Alzheimer center in Southern Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Community Dental Health, formerly known as Senior Mobile Dental, has been serving nursing home residents and veterans in the community for the past 14 years.

Michelle Vacha founded Community Dental Health because as a dental hygienist, she saw how difficult it was for older adults to get into a dentist's office.

Community Dental Health provides low to no-cost dental services depending on insurance coverage and different grants.

The nonprofit organization is comprised of volunteers and paid clinicians.

Vacha says oral health is extremely important and she has seen a noticeable difference in people's lives when a disease or infection in the mouth is treated.

"If you have an infection in your mouth, it goes through your whole body," Vacha said.

Community Dental Health has been bringing dental services to the residents at Namaste Alzheimer Center in Colorado Springs for the past 13 years.

Hal Faulkner has visited his wife Nona at the facility every day for the past two and a half years.

"She is my everything," Faulkner said.

Faulkner has seen the difference Community Dental Health has made in his wife's life.

"She had a little fall out if bed and she broke a tooth, right in front. They took care of all of that," Faulkner said.

For Vacha, this is only the beginning.

"My big focus is on integrating medical and dental together. We are in a position to get a building where we want to bring all the providers together," Vacha said. "If there's anybody else that sees this need and the passion I have for it, I would love to have anybody join us."

For more information on Community Dental Health click here.

For more information on Namaste Alzheimer Center click here.