Capito is keynote speaker during center ceremony

By Erienne Greene / Journal staff writer

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, left, Betty Russell and Dr. Dean Russell enjoy a moment of celebration following the ribbon cutting at the Healthy Smiles Community Oral Health Center dedication ceremony Tuesday. Journal photo by Erienne Greene

MARTINSBURG - Tuesday morning's dreary weather didn't put a damper of any sort on the local celebration community members held at the Healthy Smiles Community Oral Health Center dedication ceremony.

"Today is such a dream," said Betty Russell, the woman who spearheaded the entire project nearly four years ago when she recognized that there was a drastic need in the Eastern Panhandle for more access to dental care services. "Now, and in the future, everybody will have a place to come to to get the oral care they desperately need," she said.

She was just one of many proud speakers at the event, alongside her husband, oral surgeon Dr. Dean Russell; Ken Barton, president of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle Board of Directors; Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley; and David Fant, director of Shenandoah Valley Medical System.

Also in attendance was Marcia Brand, the deputy administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who said she was excited to be at such an extraordinary event.

"This center is such an amenity to our state," Brand said.

The local dental clinic was established to be a permanent solution to filling the void of local access to affordable oral health care.

Betty Russell, along with the help of the UWEP and hundreds of volunteers and fellow supporters, helped to organize the Mission of Mercy free dental clinics that took place in the summer of 2008 and 2009.

After seeing the immense turnout of patients at both events, organizers formed a committee in hopes of finding a way to continue helping residents obtain dental care.

"They were focused on coming up with a longterm solution, and I think this clinic is the tangible form of what it means to 'live united,'" Barton said.

After securing local, state and federal funding, the clinic eventually was constructed and furnished, and officially opened its doors in December.

In the short time of its existence, more than 5,000 procedures have been performed on patients who have come to the center for care.

"It took a lot of help from a lot of people, but thankfully, we didn't have a mortgage and we didn't owe for any equipment in the center when it first opened," said Dean Russell, who serves as president of the Healthy Smiles center.

Fant, who explained that the clinic will operate under the umbrella of SVMS, said that he has never seen communities come together for a particular cause like this one did, and Betty Russell elaborated on his comment.

"When you want to get something done, it can come true in this community," she said, mentioning her appreciation for Unger's help in spurring some monetary assistance on the state level for the center.

"Truly this idea came from individuals who said they were going to do something and who rose to the occasion and did it," he said.

Delivering the morning's keynote address was Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, who mentioned that while oral health ties into one's whole-body health, a healthy smile is able to "open doors" for people.

"It's not just about a blemish in your teeth or a cavity or a toothache, it's about your inner being that comes through when you smile," she said. "That's a powerful instrument, and there is no reason why every child in this panhandle shouldn't have that instrument."

Capito went on to say that the multifaceted project that resulted in the beautiful facility is a real testament to the hard work and courage of all those involved.

"I believe that you make your own luck," she said. "Things don't just fall into your lap. You make them fall into your lap."

A capital campaign aimed at raising an additional $300,000 for the center's overall financial stability began in June, and to date, more than $334,000 has been raised through campaign efforts.

Healthy Smiles provides comprehensive oral evaluations, oral cancer screening, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canal therapy and crown and bridge work.

The center accepts patients with dental insurance, CHIP or Medicaid and will offer a sliding fee for patients who meet income requirements.

It is located at 58 Warm Springs Ave., and appointments can be made by calling 304-267-0250.

- Staff writer Erienne Greene can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 183, or egreene@journal-news.net