Beloved Community Family Wellness Center (BCFWC) officially opened a state-of-the-art dental facility at 6853 South Halsted Street during a Grand Opening celebration last month. Englewood community elected officials and stakeholders were recognized during the celebration for being champions and advocates for the good health and well-being of all area residents.
The dental facility allows BCFWC to strengthen and expand its commitment to provide affordable preventive health care services to its patients as the best means to achieve and maintain overall good health.
“The latest research data says good oral hygiene leads to overall good health,” says Margie Johnson, BCFWC, CEO. “Oftentimes major health issues can be identified based on an oral exam and treated early before they become serious health issues.”
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, there is a relationship between gum (periodontal) disease and health complications such as a stroke and heart disease. Women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies.
Other research shows that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases (diseases involving many organs or the whole body) have oral manifestations, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and excessive gum problems. Such diseases include: diabetes, oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, heart disease and kidney disease.
A full-time dentist and two dental assistants are expected to service a minimum of 500 (or more) patients in the first year. Dr. Kurian Mathew services the Englewood dental clinic location. The native Chicagoan is passionate about providing high-quality dental care and serving the needs of his patients while also putting them at ease. Dr. Mathew completed his training at Marquette University School of Dentistry and began his career as a provider for the National Health Service Corps. He is committed to honing his skills through continuing education and experiences to provide the best care possible. Dr. Mathew also devotes his time to volunteering and mission work. In his free time, Dr. Mathew likes to spend time with friends and stay involved with his church.
Dr. Rosa Bellido-Griffin, D.M.D., services the Robbins, Illinois location and has extensive experience working with both private and public health programs. Her career experience with Medicaid programs and the public health department give her a unique sensitivity for treating medically-underserved patients. The Chicago resident and naturalized U.S. citizen is also enrolled in many PPOs allowing her to provide broad universal service to all patients.
Plans remain active to build a larger dental facility adjacent to the center’s main Englewood location at 6821 S. Halsted St., pending secured funding. Johnson says the smaller facility was opened in the interim to respond to the high demand and need for good and affordable dental care services in the community.
About Beloved Community Family Wellness Center
Beloved Community Family Wellness Center (BCFWC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing primary health care to the greater Englewood Community, on Chicago’s South Side. Since it opened in (2005), BCFWC has provided care to more than 7,776 individual patients who have generated more than 34,161 visits.
BCFWC’s mission is to provide holistic comprehensive, accessible and quality health care and social services programs to individuals and the community with particular focus on the health care of the medically-underserved population of Englewood. For more information visit: www.BCFWC.org.
