Newland, N.C.-based Avery Dental has continued to serve patients after its office was heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene in September, NC Health News reported Nov. 11.
Six notes:
1. The clinic, which is operated by High Country Community Health, is one of the only local dental providers that accepts Medicaid and a sliding-scale fee system.
2. Avery Dental was hit with heavy flooding that damaged every item inside, which forced the clinic to close until the building can be fixed.
3. The hurricane cost High Country Community Health an estimated $3.6 million in lost revenue and property damage, most of which came from the damage at Avery Dental.
4. Ashton Johanson, DDS, a dentist at the clinic, began seeing patients out of a van in front of one of High Country Community Health's medical clinics in October.
5. The van allows Dr. Johanson to provide emergency exams, tooth extractions and fillings.
6. High Country Community Health is currently accepting bids to rebuild the clinic, which is estimated to cost between $500,000 and $750,000.