Dental Archives - Community Healthcare Network

Remember to have your teeth cleaned regularly. Before your appointment, let your dentist know about any medications you take. Even if you don’t have natural teeth, it’s still important to see your dentist.

Why should I get my teeth cleaned?

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, schedule a dentist visit every 3 months for a teeth cleaning. Regular cleanings:

Reduce the number of tiny germs (bacteria) in your mouth.
Keep your mouth clean and help it fight against germs.
Decrease the amount of plaque on your teeth.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a sticky layer of film that collects on your teeth. Plaque comes from:

Food
Drinks
Other things you may put in your mouth like cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Smoking and using tobacco may make your mouth feel dry. When your mouth is dry, plaque can build up.

If you don’t clean your teeth often, plaque can build up. This can make your teeth and gums swell and hurt. It can turn into a disease called periodontal disease.

What are other ways I can keep my teeth and gums healthy?

Drink lots of water.
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently.
Floss once a day.
Avoid using tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco. They can harm your teeth and gums.
Do not drink more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks per day. You are more likely to get oral (mouth) and throat cancer if you drink lots of alcohol (beer, wine).
If you’re pregnant or planning to have a baby, make sure to visit your dentist.
If you are getting cancer treatments, make sure to see your dentist.

What is periodontal disease?

When your gums and the areas around your teeth get infected, it’s called periodontal disease. It can make you sick and is a serious problem. If someone in your family has it, you might get it too. You might see gaps between your teeth if you have this disease.

Periodontal disease can be painful and may cause tooth loss if not treated properly. If you have any questions about your teeth or gums, remember to call your dentist for help.

How can I schedule a dental check-up?

Current CHN patients can make an appointment through our online scheduler, Healow. Click the button below to find a provider and time that works for you. If you’re a new patient or if you prefer to make an appointment by phone you can call us at (866) 246-8259. Our friendly staff will help you find a time that works for you.

Book my visit

Community Healthcare Network, a nonprofit provider based in Midtown, signed a 35-year lease to establish an expanded federally qualified health center in the South Bronx, the organization announced last week.

The lease, which was secured by advising company Denham Wolf Real Estate Services, will allow the Community Healthcare Network to build an expanded health facility at the 8,000-square-foot location at 1000 Westchester Ave. The FQHC will be about 50% larger than the existing location, said Robert Hayes, president and CEO of the nonprofit.

The building was leased to the Community Healthcare Network for approximately $45 per square foot, totaling $363,000 for the first year of occupancy, Hayes said. Rent costs will increase by 2% annually, he added.

The South Bronx FQHC will be able to accommodate an estimated 4,000 additional medical visits, totaling 16,000 visits a year, Hayes said. The facility will have the capacity for 2,600 annual dental visits. The opening of the new FQHC will mark the first time dental care is offered at the South Bronx location, Hayes added.

The additional space at the new facility will not add medical exam rooms and dental offices and include space for care navigators to support the social and economic needs of patients. Residents of the South Bronx have higher rates of chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease—all of which should be addressed through direct medical care and by directing resources for housing and economic support, Hayes said.

“Health care in a bubble is not very effective,” Hayes said. “You really need to connect the dots.”

The new building will be across the street from its existing location. Hayes said the new location would not change travel times for patients in the South Bronx, preserving continuity of care for its patients.

Christopher Turner, managing director of transaction services and principal with Denham Wolf, said it’s typically a challenge to find the right piece of real estate for FQHCs because they don’t want to disrupt patient care. The new facility’s location across the street eliminates any chances of disruption, he said.

The company configured the terms of the lease over 35 years so that Community Healthcare Network could apply for a tax waiver from the city through the 420C process. Typically, taxes would cost up to 25% of base rent, but this expense has been taken out of the deal and will help CHN save money, Turner said.

The new building will be delivered to Denham Wolf in September, Turner said. The Community Healthcare Network expects to occupy the building by early 2024, Hayes said.

Community Healthcare Network provides healthcare, dental, nutrition, wellness and other services to New Yorkers. The network consists of 14 federally qualified health centers across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan, as well as mobile vans that bring care to under-resourced communities.—A.D.