Blog
VAFCC Membership Grows
VAFCC welcomes three new associate clinic members this fall.
We're happy to announce that three new members have joined the association this fall:
"We've served as a safety net dental clinic in SWVA for more than 40 years, but in our rural setting, it's easy to feel disconnected from our peers. Our dental program has seen tremendous growth in the last five years with the addition of a satellite clinic and school-based oral health program. We're getting ready to replace our original clinic and expand our team even more in the next two years, so we want to make sure that with another season of growth on the horizon, we're stable, strong, and ready to serve our neighbors for another 40 years," said Special Projects Manager Susan Keene. The Bland Ministry Center and Dental Clinic's mission is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in their surrounding communities. In addition to dental services, the center has many programs including a food pantry, clothes closet, home repair, and financial relief. In the center's dental clinics, they serve patients on a primarily preventative basis and engage in K-12 outreach. An experienced team of dentists, hygienists, assistants, and front desk support staff serve patients in the main dental clinic located in Bland as well as a satellite office in Wytheville. "[Our membership with the VAFCC] aligns quite nicely with our mission and vision -- we are excited about the resources and opportunities you provide. It gives us context and real-world tools to improve our goal of providing oral care to our communities," shared Dental Director Dr. Mark Lassiter.
The Virginia Dental Association Foundation (VDAF) exists to help underserved Virginians get the dental services they need. As the charitable and outreach arm of the Virginia Dental Association, VDAF leverages dental professionals and the community at large to offer programs that serve over 4,000 people annually. These programs include Mission of Mercy, Give Kids a Smile, and Donated Dental Services which provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals who are medically fragile. 
10-7 Farms is a volunteer organization with a vision to "bring people home" through community connections. It has grown into a valued community partner recognized for connecting people to needed services through formal partnerships. Specifically, 10-7 Farms seeks to improve health and create access to support services. Their initiatives expand access to affordable, high-quality healthcare and overall mental and physical health. Programs include family support, food pantry, and behavioral health delivered primarily through peer recovery services. These three organizations join a membership that now totals 71 free and charitable clinics across the state working towards a Virginia where all people have access to comprehensive, quality healthcare. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Richmond, the VAFCC has served as an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of free and charitable clinics, their volunteer workforce, and the vulnerable patients served by free and charitable clinics throughout the Commonwealth.
