For years, Porter residents have had to make do or do without when it comes to dental care, said a county economic development official.

That no longer will be true, as the Arkansas Verdigris Valley Health Center’s Porter Clinic, in affiliation with the Oklahoma Dental Foundation’s Mobile Dental Care Program, has opened a dental clinic in Porter.

“As long as I know there has never been a dental service there in town,” said Alan Parnell, chair of the Wagoner County Economic Development Authority and Wagoner County Extension director. “It’s going to be a very beneficial thing, not just for Porter, but for the overall community; anyone can go to this facility and receive dental care.”

The ODF’s Mobile Dental Unit will be used to provide treatment including cleaning and extractions at the Porter clinic, 622 S. Main St.

Parnell said area residents have had to make do for many years.

“They were having to do other alternatives as far as dental care, and some were doing without,” he said. “People not getting any dental care at all was one of the bigger concerns.”

Being involved with the other community leaders who cooperated to arrange for the mobile dental unit has been a satisfying experience, Parnell said.

“Any time you can provide any type of health care, dental care, whatever it is, in this day in time it’s very beneficial and gratifying for the community to be able to provide that,” he said.

According to the Arkansas Verdigris Valley Health Centers Inc., thousands of Oklahomans have untreated medical needs, including dental and have gone too long without access to adequate care. The collaboration between AVVHC and the ODF was forged to address this need.

In a media release, the AVVHC said that there is an increasing need in the state to reach out to underserved populations that are not currently receiving medical care; in particular, those who cannot afford care and those who must travel too great a distance to make this care possible.

AVVHC is a non-profit rural clinic whose mission is to provide primary health care to patients regardless if they have private health insurance. Fees are sliding scale based on household income. Medicare, SoonerCare and private insurance are accepted. No one will be refused services due to inability to pay.

Porter Consolidated Schools Superintendent Mark Fenton said he expects the dental clinic will be as successful as the nearby health clinic.

“I’m assuming the dental clinic will be exactly like the health clinic. It’s going to be really good for everyone from the elderly to the younger kids,” he said. “It just gives our community another option. Time will tell, but I know the community will definitely use it. It’s going to be a good option.”

Fenton agreed with Parnell that some people in the community will get dental care that didn’t have any before.

“The health clinic has been received well; people have been using it,” he said. “It’s just a good, quick option. A lot of times if people don’t feel well and they don’t want to go to Coweta or Wagoner or Muskogee, but if something is close, they will go to that closer facility.”