People who have medical insurance but no dental insurance now can get approved for dental care at Western Tidewater Free Clinic if they meet other eligibility requirements.

The change has been made to expand access to dental care and improve overall health, Director of Development Ashley Greene said.

“Dental is so intertwined with overall health,” Greene said. “This allows some people to get care that they wouldn’t before.”

Previously, would-be dental patients were subject to the same requirements as patients in the medical side of the clinic: residency in Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight or Southampton; adults age 19 to 64; live at or below twice the federal poverty level; and have no health insurance.

But now, patients who meet the other requirements will be seen in the dental clinic if they have health insurance but no dental insurance.

Thaddeus Davis is one of those patients. He’s on disability, but his medical plan doesn’t cover dental services.

“It worked out good for me,” he said. “I can’t complain.”

Davis has had a variety of services done, including extractions and fillings, since he first started coming to the clinic for dental care.

“It’s quick, and I’ve still got my whole day to do whatever,” he said.

Greene said the only thing that is required of dental patients is a $10 administrative fee if they can afford it, similar to the small donations requested for medical visits and prescriptions.

Clinic Executive Director Miriam Beiler has said dental care is important, because it improves patients’ ability to chew and eat more nutritious food, improves digestive health and boosts self-esteem and employability.

Visit www.wtfreeclinic.org for more information on the clinic and its new dental program.