A new project launched by the Maryland Area Health Education Center West (AHEC West) aims to tackle two problems facing counties in Western Maryland — the impacts of the opioid crisis and access to dental care.

As reported in ADA News:

With a two-year, $100,000 grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, AHEC West’s project seeks to expand existing oral health care services by enlisting partner agencies and providers to treat patients who are in recovery from opioid and other addictions such as methamphetamine and are in need of dental treatment.

…

“Many residents of western Maryland simply cannot afford to pay to see a dentist,” Ms. Stewart said. “In addition, all of Garrett County and parts of Allegany and Washington counties are designated by the federal government as Health Professional Shortage Areas for Dental Care, essentially meaning there are too few dentists to meet population needs. The heroin and opioid epidemic has also hit the region especially hard, creating a large and vulnerable population of those who are addicted or in recovery, and in need of dental care.”

For more information read the full article in ADA News.