BANGOR – Penquis CAP has received $19,978 from the Department of Human Services, Division of Community and Family Health Oral Health Program to develop a plan to increase access to dental health care for individuals and families with low or moderate incomes.

The plan will focus on ways to provide educational, preventive and treatment services to individuals who are uninsured and underinsured, or who are Medicaid and Cub Care recipients, in the areas of Lincoln, Millinocket, Bangor, Corinth, Old Town and Howland.

Penquis CAP will work in collaboration with the Penquis Dental Health Access coalition, which is made up of area dentists, hygienists, denturists, human service agencies, medical providers and residents. The coalition strives to provide dental access to people of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties who are in need. Penobscot County has a total of 45 general practice dentists, one for every 3,184 residents. Twenty-three dentists report treating Medicaid patients, but only six accept new Medicaid patients.

“This will be a great start to bringing a much-needed service to our community. We are very pleased,” said Laurie Eddy, director of health services for Penquis CAP.