Community Health

At APD, we believe caring for our community is a special responsibility that we are honored to fulfill. In addition to initiatives to deliver affordable care to our uninsured and underinsured patients through our Financial Assistance programs, our department reaches out to area residents of all ages through a wide variety of programs and services.

(603) 443-9548

Our Goal

Our goal is to improve the health of residents living in the APD service area. To achieve this, we work in partnership with local and state agencies (including but not limited to school districts, the Mascoma Valley Health Initiative, NH Healthy Kids, Granite United Way and the Community Oral Health Initiative) to increase access to medical and oral health services, particularly for the underserved.

Free Community Programs

We offer free programs and services in response to demonstrated community need. These include but are not limited to:

  • Increasing access to medical and dental care for the under- and uninsured
  • Assisting families/individuals with enrollment in NH Healthy Kids, Dr. Dynasaur, and other state health programs
  • Providing cash support to the Good Neighbor Health Clinic and the Grafton County Senior Citizens Transportation initiative
  • Offering flu vaccinations to community residents
  • Coordinating senior exercise programs
  • Serving as a liaison with the Lebanon School District Health Services staff and coordinating the annual Upper Valley School Nurse Workshop
  • Providing vouchers to uninsured residents for emergency prescription assistance
  • Offering subsidized health education programs and meeting space for non profit groups
  • Providing health professions education to medical, nursing and allied health students.

 

“Upper Valley Smiles,” A Free Dental Health Program for School Kids

APD is unique in the Upper Valley in offering “Upper Valley Smiles,” a school-based oral health program for children enrolled in the Lebanon, Enfield, Canaan, and Hartford elementary schools, the Richards School in Newport, Indian River Middle School, and new in 2012, in the Mascoma Valley High School. In addition to providing classroom education, free dental screenings, fluoride varnish and sealant applications, the oral health program includes a limited number of cash vouchers for uninsured and/or underinsured children needing emergency care and follow-up treatment for restorative care.

With generous financial support from the Dept of Community Health Improvement at DHMC, APD’s community-based oral health program was expanded in 2010 to include young children and their parents participating in WIC clinics held in Lebanon and Enfield.  The WIC oral health program includes parent education, dental screenings and preventive services for children (including fluoride varnish) and referrals to dentists for restorative treatment.

Community Benefits Reports

Each year, APD is required to submit a report to the State of New Hampshire to give an account of its community health mission and financial activity.