GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – A significant investment is coming to the Gwinn and Sawyer area to help close one of the U.P.’s most persistent health gaps – dental care.
The Superior Health Foundation awarded 100-thousand dollars to the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center for new dental equipment at its Sawyer Family Health Center in K-I Sawyer. The clinic is one of only two dental providers in the Gwinn and Sawyer area, and the only one that accepts medicaid patients. Without it, many residents would need to travel 20 to 40 miles or more for basic dental care.
Growing housing demand in the area has only increased the pressure, driving up wait times and pushing more residents toward emergency care for untreated conditions. Superior Health Foundation CEO Megan Murphy says up-to-date equipment isn’t convenient, it’s essential. “Good equipment that is up to date, not very old or difficult to use for dentists and hygienists to use is important,” says Murphy. “We want to make sure people are able to be seen and treated appropriately when at the dentists office.”
The grant is part of 271-thousand dollars in total funding that the Superior Health Foundation awarded across 11 U.P. health initiatives this cycle.
