Bland Ministry Center and Dental Clinic

Bland Ministry Center serves clients throughout Southwest Virginia including the New River Valley.  Since 1980, our programs have included a food pantry, clothes closet, home repair program, emergency financial assistance, and dental care.  Our programs and services continue to evolve and expand!

Your smile is contagious!

For the 2023 Spring semester, our School Dental staff served 296 Wythe County students from Head Start up to 12th grade!  Children received an exam from a local dentist, x-rays, cleanings, and fluoride treatments.  Staff applied 218 sealants,  "a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth -- usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) -- to prevent tooth decay."  Children with decay were referred back to our office for fillings and extractions when necessary.

Children receive an oral health ranking at each appointment with the following scores: 

Score 1: Child has an abscess, infection, pain or other concerns and need to receive treatment immediately.

Score 2: Child has possible or obvious decay or other dental concerns that may require treatment.  They should see a dentist to have a complete examination and any necessary treatment to prevent pain, loss of teeth, or other possible serious conditions.

Score 3: Child has no obvious dental issues.  They should continue to be seen twice per year for an examination and cleaning.

This Spring, our staff saw a student for his third visit with the team.  At his first visit, he presented with very poor oral hygiene, severe calculus build-up, and received a 1 score.  Although a visit in office did move him out of immediate need for his second visit, he still had a great deal of plaque at his second visit.  This Spring, however, after some regular visits and one-on-one oral hygiene instructions, he is now at a 3 score!  

Your support in our 2022 GiveLocalNRV campaign will help us continue to provide preventative school-based oral healthcare to children who otherwise have limited access.  You are also ensuring these children have a Dental Home: a local provider to visit as other needs arise beyond their biannual hygiene appointments.

You can help us take a child from an emergency oral health situation in which a toothache may be so severe that they can hardly eat, to a state of great oral health!

The school dental program's total annual budget is $170,000, allowing staff to serve patients from Wythe, Bland, Smyth, and Tazewell Counties, twice per year.  All funds go directly to patient care and education.  Your Give Local NRV contribution specifically funds appointments for Wythe County children without dental coverage and keeps them from paying patient fees for school-based services.