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BARNESVILLE -- Congressman Bill Johnson hailed the news that a new dental health option is available in western Belmont County.
Johnson, R-Ohio, spoke and presented an American flag at the ribbon cutting and open house of the new Ohio Hills Health Centers dental clinic on Friday in Barnesville.
"I'm just honored to play even a small role in all of this. As you know, eastern and southeastern Ohio has its fair share of challenges: economic, health care, to say the least. ... What we're doing here at Ohio Hills Health Center is expanding dental care, and that is a really important service for the people in this community," Johnson said.
Johnson also presented an American flag to display at the new facility that was previously flown over the United States Capitol at his request.
OHHC CEO Jeff Britton said that the new dental center will provide a much-needed service for the community.
"Because of the hard work and determination that went into this project, the dental center will provide appropriate, high-quality dental care to the community for many years to come regardless of their ability to pay," he said.
Britton also said that the new office will bring seven full- and part-time jobs to downtown Barnesville, and he expects the office to have 2,500 patient visits per year.
Dr. Robert Brewer, the primary dentist at the new office, said that he believes a more central location will help OHHC provide more efficient quality care. Brewer has 36 years of experience as a dentist.
"I've dreamed of being a dentist since eighth grade," he said.
Brewer said that the new office features state-of-the-art equipment including a panoramic X-ray machine and a digital sterilizer for the dental tools.
"Everything is top-notch," he said.
He said that the new office will have four dental chairs while the old office only had three. He hopes that having the extra chair will help the office serve more patients.
Brewer also said he hopes to provide quality, compassionate care for the community.
"I love the people I work with and the patients I work on. I can't wait to get started in this fantastic new office," he said.
Kaleb Knowlton, Appalachian Regional representative for the office of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, read a letter from Brown at the ceremony.
The letter states: "Ohio Hills continues its mission to provide affordable and accessible care for residents throughout the Ohio Valley, which is what brings us here today to celebrate the opening of a new dental clinic that promises to serve more patients with the latest in dental technology."
Sherrod's letter said that everyone deserves access to quality health care, including dental care.
The dental center was funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Charles A. Dietz, state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said he was pleased to support OHHC's mission.
"Having access to high-quality dental care is just a life changer for so many people, whether it's having dental work done that gives a child the confidence they need to speak up in class, or for the courage needed to apply for a job or even finding another health-related issue that comes up when you're in the dental chair," he said.
The dental office had been in the works since 2015. Susan Lawson, director of Oral Health Services, said that progress was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. Now that the building is completed, she hopes the office will improve the health of the community.
"Congratulations from everyone at OHHC for truly giving everyone a reason to smile," Lawson said.
The original Barnesville Dental office opened in Jan. 2019 in a rented space. The new dental center will have an additional exam room to serve more patients.
Ohio Hills Health Centers is a nonprofit health care operation, located in communities in Eastern Ohio to promote healthy lifestyles and to provide comprehensive treatment and preventive services for area residents.
The organization has been serving residents of the Ohio Valley since 1976. Ohio Hills Health Centers provide residents of Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Monroe and Noble counties with comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health services.
For more information about Ohio Hills Health Centers, visit its Facebook page or go to ohiohillshealth.org.
The new dental office is located at 101 E. Main St. in Barnesville.
To schedule an appointment at the new dental office, call 740-239-6447.