For more than a decade, a dental chair has sat unused in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, with the protective plastic covering still attached, a symbol of the hidden health care potential here.
“Since the facility opened in 2012, this dental chair had not been used until a few weeks ago when we finally opened our first dental clinic, removed the plastic from the chair, and really put it to use, which was exciting,” said Assistant Director Celeste Wainwright, who recalled the collaborative opportunity behind this change.
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“For years, every time I gave a tour, I would point to the dental chair and joke that it was just for show. Until a visitor said, ‘I know someone who can help,’ and that led to our collaboration with the nonprofit medical organization MedWish Medworks.”
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This chance conversation led to more than a year of preparation to provide inclusive dental services to youth at the detention center.
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MedWish Medworks, which is committed to providing free health care to underserved populations, will officially open a dental clinic at the center in October 2023.
During the opening, more than 75 teenagers received important dental treatment and screenings, addressing long-neglected oral health issues and restoring dignity to this group of often overlooked teenagers.
Britta Latz, CEO of MedWish Medworks, recalled: “Our supporters met Judge Anne McDonough at a party and learned about the needs of the juvenile detention center, which led to the collaboration between the two parties.
After several rounds of approvals and coordination, especially after Medworks and MedWish International merged in September 2024, the project was successfully launched.”
The first two-day dental clinic focused on emergency treatment, and volunteer dentists and medical staff provided emergency and routine dental examinations to more than 75 teenagers.
Latz pointed out that “some of the children had never seen a dentist, and some had not received care for many years. The children were very active in the treatment and had a very positive experience.”
The clinic also provides specialty services, including cosmetic dental restorations and treatment of severe facial abscess cases. “It was very touching to see how grateful the children were for the treatment,” Latz said.
Without MedWish Medworks, many uninsured teens would have to rely on emergency rooms for dental emergencies. This partnership has the potential to prevent emergencies and address a wider range of oral health needs.”
Insured teens are often referred to community dental clinics, but routine cleaning services are lacking. For the past 15 years, MedWish Medworks has provided free dental, vision and specialty care to the medically underserved, especially in Cleveland.
Wainwright talked about the changes brought about by the partnership: “One girl said that restoring her teeth made her more confident, and another child who was afraid of tooth extraction was comforted by the team’s patience.
The team is very professional and can help children who are afraid of going to the dentist.” She added that the nature of teens in detention centers has also changed, with longer stays and more long-term and comprehensive needs.
On-site dental services have greatly improved safety and operational efficiency. “It used to take two staff members to take children out for treatment, which was a safety hazard. Now, the clinic is like a one-stop service center, which reduces the number of trips.”
MedWish Medworks plans to expand cooperation and introduce dental residency and dental hygienist programs to improve nursing capabilities and achieve a win-win situation.
Latz emphasized that the detention center is only part of its larger mission. “We provide dental, primary care, vision and specialty services to create a multidisciplinary integrated medical model.”
Wainwright and Latz both expect the clinic to continue to influence and improve the lives of young people. Wainwright said: “If they were our own children, we would also hope that they could enjoy such respectful and high-quality care.”