Empowering Lives through Affordable Dental Care
Commitment to Mission
Benevis remains steadfast in its mission of breaking down barriers to affordable dental care for disadvantaged children and adults in the U.S. In 2024 alone, the organization cared for over 600,000 patients, with a staggering 82% relying on Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) plans. This highlights the organization's crucial role in serving those who are often overlooked. Among these patients, 516,000 were children, and an impressive 86% received care through Medicaid or CHIP plans. Such figures demonstrate the organization's unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of those in need.Looking ahead, Benevis is committed to expanding its reach even further. CEO Bryan Carey expressed excitement about broadening the impact of their innovative approach to improving dental care access and focusing on preventative care. The goal is to deliver life-changing dental healthcare to an even greater number of patients, empowering them to embark on a lifelong journey to better overall health.Clinical Achievements in 2024
In 2024, Benevis' clinical teams in 13 states and the District of Columbia treated patients during 1.4 million visits. This extensive reach allowed them to handle a wide range of dental needs. They provided 79,129 emergency services, ensuring that patients received timely care in critical situations. Additionally, they performed 642,008 fillings and 548,902 sealants, addressing various dental issues and preventing future problems.To meet the growing patient care needs, Benevis welcomed 37 new dental school graduates in 2024. This expansion enhanced the general dentistry services, orthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery services in 10 of the 14 Benevis-supported states and territories. Each new dentist participated in the company's comprehensive mentorship program, facilitating a smooth transition and enabling them to gain valuable experience in treating patients in underserved communities.Assisted Hygiene Delivery Model
The Assisted Hygiene Delivery Model implemented by Benevis gained recognition from both Beckers Dental + DSO Review and Practical Patient Care. This collaborative model uses Benevis-affiliated hygienists and assistants to provide the most efficient and high-quality care to a greater number of patients in communities in need. By optimizing the unique skills of dental hygienists and assistants, Benevis ensures that patient care is not compromised while achieving greater delivery.Annual Sharing Smiles Day
Benevis was proud to host its 9th annual Sharing Smiles Day in May. With 21 dental offices and 307 volunteers, they provided free dental care to 413 uninsured children and adults across the country. Participants received dental exams, cleanings, emergency care, extractions, and restorative care at no cost. This event showcases Benevis' commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of those who lack access to dental care.Industry Recognitions
In 2024, Benevis was also recognized with industry accolades for its devotion to the dental profession and oral care improvement. Dominique Szach, Benevis' Director of Dental Hygiene, was granted a national award from the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). She received the ADHA's Standout Seven Award – Corporate for her exemplary dedication and innovation in her dental hygiene role. Porter Dental & Braces dental home, based in Baltimore, MD, was honored with a Great Practice for Dental Assistants to Work award from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This accolade is a testament to the supportive and fulfilling environment Benevis creates for dental assistants.To learn more about Benevis' work or to join their team, please visit https://careers.benevis.com/careers-home.About BenevisBenevis is a leading dental healthcare delivery organization dedicated to delivering life-changing oral care and orthodontics to underserved communities. With a 20-year history, it has provided the highest quality care to approximately 5 million children and adults. Its network of over 100 locally branded dental offices across the U.S. delivers treatment through 1.4 million visits each year. Benevis also advocates for programs and legislation to ensure all families have access to the oral healthcare they need and deserve. For more information, visit Benevis.com.CONTACT: Alison Matthiessen Benevis 401-490-9700 benevis@svmpr.comBridging the Gap - Improving Rural Healthcare in Alabama
Challenges Faced by Rural Residents
Rural Alabama presents a unique set of circumstances that make accessing quality healthcare a difficult task. As evidenced by the statistics, 7% of the counties in the state lack a hospital, and 28% of women in rural areas are more than 30 minutes away from a hospital with birthing services. These figures highlight the significant disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban areas.
Panelists at the rural health town hall meeting shed light on the hurdles that some people in Tuscaloosa and surrounding rural areas must overcome. From long distances to limited resources, these challenges pose a significant barrier to obtaining adequate healthcare.
Solutions and Suggestions
Advocates from grass roots organizations like the Longevity Project and Creating Healthier Communities offered valuable suggestions on how to improve healthcare access in rural areas. One key aspect emphasized was the importance of partnerships. As Jean Accius, the President and CEO of Creating Healthier Communities, stated, "Really highlight the importance of partnerships and role colleges like Stillman can play in bringing different stakeholders together – whether it’s providers, whether it’s business leaders, whether it’s industry leaders, whether it’s non-profits, whether it’s local government – to really think about how we can collaborate collectively to really address the needs of our communities in a meaningful way."
Building up the workforce in rural areas and better utilizing telehealth services were also discussed as effective ways to lessen the gap between rural and urban healthcare. By investing in local healthcare providers and leveraging technology, rural communities can improve access to healthcare and provide better care for their residents.
Collaborative Efforts for Change
Addressing the healthcare disparities in rural Alabama requires a collective effort from various stakeholders. Providers, business leaders, industry leaders, non-profits, and local government all have a role to play in creating a more equitable healthcare system. By working together, these groups can pool their resources and expertise to develop innovative solutions and improve the health outcomes of rural residents.
Stillman College, through its hosting of the rural health town hall meeting, has taken an important step in initiating this collaborative process. By bringing together different voices and perspectives, the college is helping to raise awareness about the issues facing rural healthcare and inspiring action to address them.
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Addressing the Healthcare Labor Shortage
Redesign Health will utilize the funds to tackle the pressing issue of the healthcare labor shortage. By launching new companies, they aim to bring innovative solutions that can alleviate the strain on healthcare providers. For instance, through platforms like Jasper Health, which focuses on cancer care-coordination, and MedArrive, a home-based care company, they are working towards improving access to care and reducing the burden on the existing workforce. This not only benefits patients but also helps in creating a more sustainable healthcare system.Moreover, by developing AI and genAI technologies, Redesign Health hopes to enhance efficiency and productivity in healthcare delivery. These technologies can assist in tasks such as patient scheduling, medical record management, and diagnosis, freeing up healthcare professionals to focus on more critical aspects of patient care.
Accelerating Value-based and Longitudinal Care
The company is committed to accelerating value-based and longitudinal care. Through initiatives like CardioOne, a cardiology care platform, and UpLift, a mental health company, they are focusing on providing comprehensive and continuous care to patients. By integrating different aspects of healthcare and following patients over time, they can ensure better outcomes and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.For example, CardioOne uses advanced technologies to monitor patients' heart health continuously, enabling early detection and intervention. This approach not only improves the quality of care but also helps in reducing healthcare costs in the long run.
Advancing Healthcare Interoperability
Another key focus area for Redesign Health is advancing healthcare interoperability. With the help of the new funds, they will work towards creating seamless connections between different healthcare systems and providers. This will enable the sharing of patient data securely and efficiently, leading to better coordinated care.For instance, by developing interoperable platforms, healthcare providers can access a patient's complete medical history from different sources, making it easier to make informed decisions about their care. This interoperability also has the potential to improve research and clinical trials by providing a more comprehensive view of patient data.
Preparing for the Aging Population
As the population ages, the need for healthcare services is increasing. Redesign Health is actively preparing for this demographic shift by launching companies that cater to the specific needs of older adults. Beanstalk Benefits, an employee benefits platform, and Harmonic Health, a tech-enabled dementia care platform, are examples of such initiatives.These platforms offer tailored solutions for older employees and those with dementia, ensuring that they receive the care and support they need. By addressing the unique challenges faced by the aging population, Redesign Health is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare.
Improving Health Equity
Redesign Health is also dedicated to improving health equity. They recognize that not all individuals have equal access to healthcare, and they are working towards bridging this gap. Through their various initiatives, they aim to provide healthcare services to underserved populations and reduce disparities in health outcomes.For example, by expanding sites of care and reaching out to rural and low-income areas, they are making healthcare more accessible to everyone. This approach not only benefits individuals but also has a positive impact on society as a whole.
Expanding the Insured Population
In addition to addressing the above issues, Redesign Health is focused on expanding the insured population. By working with different stakeholders, they aim to ensure that more people have access to health insurance and quality healthcare services.This can be achieved through partnerships with insurance companies and government agencies. By increasing the insured population, Redesign Health is contributing to a more inclusive healthcare system that benefits everyone.
Driving Personalization and Consumerization in Healthcare
Finally, Redesign Health is driving personalization and consumerization in healthcare. By leveraging technology and data, they are enabling patients to have more control over their healthcare decisions and experiences.For instance, through Calibrate, a weight-management company, patients can access personalized health plans and track their progress in real-time. This empowers patients and promotes a more active role in their own healthcare.