Comprehensive Dental Care in Lynn MA – Lynn Community Health Center

Enhancing Wellness Through Comprehensive Dental Care at Lynn Community Health Center

Oral health is a pivotal component of overall wellness, and poor oral hygiene can escalate into chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. That’s why the healthcare professionals at Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) safeguard the smiles and the general health of our community in Lynn, MA, through our extensive dental services.

Herlivi Linares, Assistant Director of Dental Services at LCHC, understands how crucial dental care is for a patient’s overall health. Her team provides the dental care at our center, which includes education outreach and tips to maintain optimal oral health.

Comprehensive Dental Services Offered in Lynn, MA

LCHC’s dental practice began in 2001 as its own dental clinic. Over the past 20 years, the dental programs, services, and patient/provider resources have expanded, moved buildings, and grown closer to the health center in terms of collaboration and integration.

Today, Linares and her staff handle more than 4,000 patient visits a year and serve more than 12,000 individuals within the Lynn community.

“We are considered a large practice,” says Linares. “We have 12 rooms fully equipped. At this time, we have 22 attendees that include part-time, full-time, per diem, and three specialists.” She points out that the health center offers full-service dental care rather than referring patients to outside providers.

Dental services at Lynn include:

• Emergency care
• Preventative care
• Pediatric dentistry
• Restorative work (includes fillings, crowns, and bridges)
• Endodontic care (root canals)
• Periodontal therapy (treatment of the gums, including deep cleanings)
• Minor oral surgery (extractions)
• And more

“If we’re not able to treat patients, we refer them to a local dental school,” Linares says. Fortunately, the spirit of value-based care permeates throughout the health center, and Dental Services attempts to cover as much as possible and provide exceptional care.

“We do cleanings, x-rays, emergency treatment, simple extractions, restorations. Besides that, we offer more specialty services for root canals, crowns, and special needs patients.”

Just like a physical exam for head-to-toe primary care, proper dental hygiene starts with a routine exam for most patients. Our dental professionals conduct meticulous exams to detect early signs of problems, provide cleanings that eradicate plaque and tartar buildup, and help patients avoid things like gum disease.

What New Patients Can Expect from a Dental Visit at Lynn

From the moment you schedule your appointment, we prioritize your convenience and comfort. Our dental staff will guide you through each procedure to ensure you’re informed and at ease throughout your visit.

“As a new patient, we take a full set of x-rays and complete a medical and dental history,” says Linares. “Through the x-rays, we’re able to do a comprehensive exam of the overall oral situation. Then, we proceed to do the prophylaxis, the cleaning, and fluoride if needed.”

A More Holistic Dental Healthcare Approach

Typically, part of a patient’s initial exam or continuing dental journey includes goals for dental hygiene:

• Brush twice a day
• Floss daily
• Use fluoridated toothpaste
• Avoid excessive intake of sugars and sugar substitutes

Linares also points out that dental services at Lynn go beyond a traditional exam and cleaning.

“As part of our ‘everyday’ here, we provide education for the patients. We have a dental hygienist, and for every visit, we have something we call self-management goals and risk assessment.”

Linares says that in order to make positive progress toward a more complete healthcare approach, she and her staff encourage patients to pick two goals to focus on.

“We follow up on these two goals every time they visit. So, if they feel comfortable and we see that they are brushing better and flossing better, we establish other goals.

“This way, patients decide which goals to follow and know that when they come, we are going to follow up on that. This has really improved the oral health of our patients.”

Linares believes that responsibility for positive outcomes also applies to her and her staff. That’s why she makes an effort to recognize the successes and milestones of her colleagues.

“You need to celebrate things that happen to your team, like birthdays and baby showers,” she shares. “We honor everybody, and we care deeply here. We want them to feel like they’re part of something. I always try to keep us motivated because we work very hard.”

Get Your Dental Care from Lynn Community Health Center

At Lynn, your dental health is our priority. That’s why Linares and her team look forward to advancements in dental science and technology—like more capable x-ray machines and telemedicine capabilities—to see where the road toward more holistic healthcare might take LCHC.

“There is a lot of need in the city of Lynn,” she says. “… and we welcome everyone.”

Curious about better dental hygiene or need to schedule your next visit? Contact one of our dental specialists today!