JERMIN — When Maryann Havrilak, a 74-year-old retired secretary, first stepped into the Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley in Jermin, she said she didn’t expect to find herself in a dental chair.
“I’ve had bad teeth all my life,” Havrilak recalled. “But as soon as I walked into the Wright Center, I felt comfortable. The dentist explained everything clearly, and it felt like home.”
After returning to Wayne County after 45 years in New York City, she retired on a fixed income and was extremely cautious when choosing medical and dental services.
Faced with a list of services offered by her insurance company, she chose the Wright Center and has been receiving care there ever since.
October is National Oral Hygiene Month, highlighting the connection between oral health and overall health—such as heart disease and diabetes management, and the early detection of oral cancer.
But many people don’t get the treatment they need due to fear, shame, lack of insurance, or lack of transportation. The comprehensive dental care model proposed by the Wright Center aims to address these barriers.
As a federally qualified health center and safety net provider, the Wright Center accepts most dental insurance plans and offers a sliding fee discount program based on federal poverty guidelines for eligible patients. The center states that it will not deny services due to a patient’s inability to pay.
“We believe everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable, and trauma-informed dental care,” said Dr. Ryan Rebar, clinical director of the Wright Center’s MidValley branch and a general dentist. “Our approach centers on the patient’s physical, emotional, and financial circumstances. We patiently discuss all options and ensure patients feel in control.”
Dr. Rebar graduated from the University of Scranton and earned his dental degree from Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry.
He noted that the Wright Center’s integrated medical, behavioral health, and dental model not only increases accessibility but also helps build trust with patients who may have historically feared or negative experiences with healthcare.
Havrilak has been a patient at the MidValley Wright branch for seven years, having undergone extractions, partial dentures, and most recently, a bridge.
She praised the team for their skilled and friendly approach. Unlike the “rough” treatments she’d experienced in the past, the care here is “so gentle you can’t even feel it.”
The new bridge has transformed her daily life: “I sat down to eat my salad today—the first time I’ve been able to since April. I couldn’t chew before. Now I can, I smile more, and I feel more like myself.”
Havrilak considers the Wright Center’s dental team like family. She says the team chats and reassures patients, and even the front desk attends to their schedules.
“They all care about you. I never turn down a dentist appointment.” She advises those who fear dental care: “Go to the Wright Community Health Center. They’ll put you at ease, respect you, and help you restore your smile.”
To schedule a dental appointment or for more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Tips for good oral hygiene (suggested by the Wright Center’s dental team)
Brush your teeth
Use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth.
Aim the bristles at the gum line and gently brush each tooth using small, circular motions, avoiding vigorous rubbing.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.
Flossing
Take about two feet of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, controlling it with your thumb and index finger.
Gently feed the floss between your teeth to the gum line. Bend it into a “C” shape and wrap it around the teeth, moving it up and down under the gums to clean.