Starting 2026 Off Strong! Mission, Improvements, & Externs
Our patient care model allows each dental patient to have a scheduled appointment for one-hour; some appointments finish before that hour, some take longer than an hour, it all depends on the complexity of the treatment plan. Having an initial hour block for an appointment allows our staff and volunteers to build relationships with patients: discuss social determinants of health-related needs (transportation, housing, child-care, and more), oral health concerns, overall health history, tobacco cessation, and really whatever other concerns they may have.
On a day with full staff and volunteer capacity, the Red Logan Dental Clinic is able to see between 10 and 12 patients.
We moved to the Gates Memorial Library in 2001, so our equipment was aging, despite regular maintenance. When equipment began unexpectedly breaking down in 2025, the dental clinic underwent a period of reduced capacity. From July through December, the clinic cared for fewer patients than anticipated due to system failures with the dental vacuum and compressor.
Thankfully, the Red Logan Dental Clinic is back up and running, having completed the necessary repairs and improvements to resume normal capacity.
Tools are now standardized across each operatory, taking less time to train externs and other volunteer providers to use; equipment is modernized, and everything is easier to sanitize. With these improvements, the dental clinic is looking forward to resuming regular patient-care and anticipates no further disruptions! This remains especially important as we continue to welcome new dental externs to make even more of an impact, like Angelo!
Angelo, a Vermont local completing his schooling with Tufts, joined the Red Logan Dental Clinic team from December 29th through January 27th. In February, the dental clinic will welcome Sara from the University of New England!
If you’re a dentist, dental assistant, or dental hygienist (with licensure in the state of Vermont) interested in joining our team to continue caring for our neighbors’ dental health needs, please reach out to us! More volunteers ensure more individuals in the Upper Valley have access to dental care.
