Asheboro Dental Care owner credits NC Sen. Craven for $300,000 boost

ASHEBORO — Access Dental Care, a mobile, onsite provider committed to serving patients with special healthcare needs statewide, got a boost from the recently approved state budget.

The organization will receive $300,000 to expand dental care for North Carolina’s frail elderly and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

The funding will enable the Asheboro-based nonprofit to purchase a new mobile truck and updated equipment, replacing one of the organization’s 20-year-old vehicles serving communities across the Piedmont Triad.

The organization operates six mobile teams — each consisting of a dentist, a dental hygienist and two dental assistants — that travel to care facilities five days a week. Each team sets up two fully equipped operatories onsite and sees an average of 20 patients per day.

“We care for patients every day who can’t be treated in the regular office setting, supporting facilities and families who need routine dentistry for their loved ones,” says Dr. Bill Milner, President of Access Dental Care. “Imagine being an Alzheimer’s resident and not being able to tell anyone that you have a toothache. These are the folks that Senator Craven cares about.”

NC Sen. Dave Craven, R-29, secured the funding in the state budget.

“This program is a great example of how North Carolina creates innovative programs that help communities throughout the state,” Craven said. “I’m proud to do everything I can to support families that struggle every day to get specialized health services. I’m especially pleased to have a homegrown program that is having a statewide impact.”

Access Dental Care is a statewide, mobile organization and the nation’s largest practice dedicated to exclusively providing special care. 

For 26 years, the organization has focused on providing state-of-the-art onsite care to: 

■ Nursing and group home residents. 

■ PACE program participants.

■ Cone Health’s Infectious Disease HIV/AIDS program.

■ A New Hanover County funded 55+ Older Adult Program.

■ And patients at two community-fixed dental clinics, including one at 513 White Oak St., Suite D, Asheboro.