DENTAL CLINIC — Longtime area dentist Dr. Tom Brown will be providing services at the CHANGE Inc. School-Based Health Center located at the Pugliese STEM Academy at Steubenville High School. He will be joined by dental assistant Makayla Skeeles. Cindy McCord, a dental hygienist, also will be on staff. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Students at Steubenville City Schools have an on-site option for keeping their teeth strong and bright with the presence of a dental clinic.

CHANGE Inc.’s School-Based Health Center will now provide dental-related opportunities at its clinic located in the Pugliese STEM Academy at Steubenville High School. Examinations will be offered with local longtime dentist Dr. Tom Brown, while dental hygienists will also be on staff. For now, time will be limited with dental hygienists available on Mondays and Brown working on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by appointment, but times may change.

“We’re going to provide dental clinics for cleanings, X-rays, fillings, minor in-office surgical procedures and routine screenings for school,” said clinical site manager Kelly Treadway. “We will have dental hygienists on Monday and Brown will be starting on Wednesdays with room to expand.”

Brown, who is a Big Red alum and had two children graduate from the high school, has practiced in the area for years and said it felt like coming home.

“I’ve practiced for more than 40 years and had an office in Wintersville,” he said, adding that he’s also worked at Allegheny General Hospital and Trinity Medical Center East. “I’m really enthusiastic about it. There are really underserved patients in the area and this is really good for them. I think it’s important to be serving the underserved and uninsured because it’s a major benefit for the area.”

Jennifer Pierce, chief operating officer of CHANGE, Inc., added that having an on-site dentist benefits students in the district because they can receive service without having to lose time from school. The center was previously located inside the high school but is now in the Pugliese STEM Academy at the school-based health center.

“The importance is the convenience of keeping kids in school,” Pierce continued. “The health center is for medical and dental needs and I am impressed by the building. As soon as the district started construction, we knew we were going to move the health center. Schools have a mobile bus for dental exams but this will be much more convenient. After their mobile screenings and cleanings, they can be treated at the clinic.”

The health center accepts underserved and uninsured students as well as most insurances, while family members of students and staff may also participate. Brown noted that children should undergo dental services as soon as 1½ to 3 years old to ensure they receive proper care early. Appointments are already being taken and dental hygienist Cindy McCord and dental assistant Makayla Skeeles are on staff, while there may be an opportunity to expand the number of dental assistants.

CHANGE Inc. operates school-based health centers in several districts in Jefferson County as well as in Hancock and Brooke counties. For more information about the dental clinic at Steubenville or to make an appointment, call (740) 284-5712.