Dental Services

Patients without insurance, qualify financially and reside in Chesapeake as well as the surrounding communities (Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Hampton) are seen is our dental clinics.

Appointments are offered to patients that have met our eligibility requirements and are an eligible Chesapeake Care patient.

We do not accept walk-ins and there is no waiting list. All appointments are on first come bases.

For patients wishing to have a cleaning or restorations, a comprehensive dental exam must be done first. This establishes a treatment plan for our patients and helps us make them aware of oral care that can be provided here at Chesapeake Care.

Services we provide are as follows:

Extractions (removal of a tooth or teeth)

Restorations (fill decayed teeth)-very limited appointments

Exams (to determine treatment needed)

Cleanings (with hygienist or hygiene student)

 

Technology

 

In May of 2006, with funding from the Beazley Foundation, Chesapeake Care became the first free clinic in Virginia to adopt an electronic medical record. The goal was to demonstrate the positive impact that innovative technology can have in increasing access to care for the uninsured and improving case management and eventually health status. Ultimately the clinic will share the knowledge gained by this experience and serve as a model for other free clinics in Virginia and across the country.

 

 

Prescription Medications

Chesapeake Care provides free prescription medication to patients.  This is accomplished by combining three separate resources.  The clinic maintains an onsite medication closet, stocked with sample medications donated by local physicians and pharmaceutical representatives.  The clinic also receives medications directly from pharmaceutical companies for the exclusive use of specific individuals. The clinic maintains a close relationship with a local pharmacy that processes prescriptions that we cannot fill onsite.  This pharmacy delivers prescriptions daily to Chesapeake Care. In 2006 - 07, a total of 19,349 prescriptions were filled at a value of $1,315,732.

 

Medication Pick-up

Medication pick-up is scheduled five times per week. In addition, patients can pick-up medications during their appointment time. Medications are free to patients.  Many place a voluntary contribution into the donation box.

 

Special Programs

 

Every Woman’s Life (EWL)

EWL is the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is a grant-funded initiative sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   It provides breast examinations, mammograms and pap smears for women 50 years of age and older who meet income and insurance guidelines and have not been screened within 3 years. It provides breast and cervical cancer diagnostic testing for qualified women from 18 – 49. In 2006 - 07, 149 women were served.

 

Diabetic Clinic

In April 2004 Chesapeake Care began a comprehensive program for our diabetic patients.

Goal: To use the Chronic Care Model to improve the quality of life for patients with diabetes by taking a proactive approach to disease management that focuses on keeping a person as healthy as possible.

The program includes:

Individual and group medical appointments

Individual and group education on managing diabetes from all aspects

Consistent laboratory studies

Regular glucose level monitoring at home

Yearly podiatry and ophthalmology appointments

Yearly immunizations

Nutrition counseling

Dental care

Other specialty care as needed

All insulin and other diabetic medications, glucometers and test strips

 

Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

In April 2005 Chesapeake Care began participating in the Direct Access Colorectal Cancer Screening Program through Optima Health in partnership with Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater.

Objectives:

·        To improve access to colorectal cancer screening for low- income uninsured persons

·        To reduce morbidity and mortality from colon cancer

·        To improve health outcomes for persons screened under this program

Patients of Chesapeake Care who meet the screening guidelines of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Cancer Society can receive a screening colonoscopy through a combination of grant funds and in-kind professional services.  The initial funding provides for 40 - 50 colorectal cancer screenings.

 

Eligibility Clinic

In an effort to streamline the procedure for patient check-in during clinic sessions, Chesapeake Care initiated a separate eligibility clinic to pre-qualify patients.  During this scheduled session, prospective patients complete all required paperwork: contact information, medical history and consent form and present their proof of residency, income and identification.  If information is complete and the individual meets the income, residency and insurance guidelines, he/she is eligible for an extended number of months (depending on income source) and receives his/her first appointment.

 

Medication Assistance Program (MAP)

Chesapeake Care processes hundreds of applications on behalf of patients for free medication programs offered by pharmaceutical companies for uninsured and low income citizens. As of September 2007, the clinic had 821 active patients served by this program.

 

Special Services: Onsite

Electrocardiograms, fingerstick laboratory procedures, urinalysis, glaucoma screening, crash cart and AED, minor surgical procedure room, sample medications, health education resources (onsite).

 

Laboratory and Diagnostic Testing: Offsite

Through the generosity of Chesapeake General Hospital, Sentara, MRI & CT Diagnostics and several freestanding facilities, we successfully meet the needs of our patients in the areas of diagnostic, laboratory and cytology testing and procedures. 

 

Referral / Consultation Services

Many individual specialty care providers in the community regularly donate free services to Chesapeake Care patients. The list of services includes surgery, cardiology, chiropractic, dermatology, gastroenterology, gynecology, infectious disease, nephrology, neurology, oncology, hematology-oncology, radiation oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain management, otology, pediatrics, physical therapy, podiatry, pulmonology, and urology.

 

Community Resources

Information for numerous community resources is available and shared regularly with our patients.  Such services include: Lions Club’s assistance with sight and hearing loss, FAMIS – the state sponsored insurance plan for children, local health department services, Ryan White Program, social service programs, community mental health services, American Cancer Society, EVMS School of Public Health, Old Dominion University Schools of Dental Hygiene and Nursing, Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Oral Health Coalition of South Hampton Roads and others.

 

Future Plans

Chesapeake Care looks to the future with the hope of continuing to strengthen the ability to provide high quality care to current patients and increase the ability to serve more qualified patients. Plans include organizing a Hypertension Clinic, increasing the use of group medical appointments, screening mammograms for women over forty, a comprehensive technology initiative for dental care, computer-assisted patient education stations, and expanded dental hygiene and preventative care.