The Lamb Center recently held a grand reopening of its onsite dental clinic, bringing a refreshed oral care resource to the city’s most vulnerable.
The newly upgraded clinic will provide free, comprehensive and compassionate dental services to hundreds of people experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
The renovation was made possible by the generous support and partnership of the community. With $35,000 from the City of Fairfax Nonprofit Grant Program and $25,000 from the Inova Community Health Fund, the clinic’s transition from a shabby facility to a high-tech, modern facility is now comparable to any private dental facility in the area.
“Oral health is an important part of overall health, and for our guests, access to this service is often a luxury that is out of reach,” said Tara Ruszkowski, executive director of the Lamb Center. “This is more than just a treatment. It is the starting point for a person to regain dignity and a healthy life. It is our way of responding to the call of society and the mission of faith.”
The new clinic will provide comprehensive services including preventive examinations, fillings, extractions, root canal treatments, gum care, and dentures to eligible visitors.
Dr. Samuel Hamm, a long-term volunteer dentist, not only personally participated in every detail of the clinic’s reconstruction, but also personally supervised the construction and equipment installation.
“What we can do in private clinics, we can now provide here for those who need it most,” said Dr. Hamm, “This is what they deserve.”
The original intention of this service can be traced back many years ago. It was first conceived by Sharon Jones, a former member of the Lamb Center Board of Directors, and started by Dr. Joe Grieco, the first volunteer dentist.
At first, the clinic only used portable equipment, like the configuration of overseas free clinics, but now it has transformed into an efficient, fixed modern dental facility, which is the result of years of prayer, persistence and community cooperation.
On the day of the clinic’s reopening, Pastor Dave Larrabee and intern pastor Chris Ellenbaum jointly offered a blessing and quoted Proverbs and Matthew, calling the clinic a “house built on rock”, symbolizing the “precious treasure” created by the service and the served.
As one of the very few free dental service institutions in Northern Virginia that does not require an appointment and has a very low threshold, the clinic responds to a core social issue – the accessibility of medical services.
“In the current big discussion about medical equity,” said Leslie Abashian, director of human services, “this clinic gives the clearest answer: everyone deserves to be cared for.”
