BANGOR – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine awarded $25,000 to Penobscot Community Health Center at a recent check presentation ceremony.

The grant was given to help the center support and expand its oral health care program for low-income and underserved children. More specifically, the funds will pay for a new hygienist station and equipment, allowing the center to serve more children – many of whom are on the center’s waiting list.

“The ability to purchase additional equipment allows us to reach thousands of children – as well as adults – who right now have no chance for dental care,” said Kenneth Schmidt, chief executive officer at Penobscot Community Health Center.

“Since we started the oral health care program, we have had more than 4,000 people on our waiting list for services. It is our mission that no one be denied dental care,” Schmidt said.

“We are very pleased to present this grant award to Penobscot Community Health Center,” said Gary Eckmann, treasurer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine, and owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Bangor, Brewer and Dover-Foxcroft. “Dental care is one of the most widely needed health care services, especially in Bangor and the surrounding areas.”

“We applaud Penobscot Community Health Care on its mission to provide timely dental health care to those individuals and children who have little or no insurance,” he said.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine has grown from a small, not-for-profit organization to a powerful force of change in communities and children’s lives, officials said. Since it was founded in 1989, RMHC of Maine has granted more than $800,000 to local children’s programs that have made a measurable impact in communities throughout Maine.