St. Mary Health Center Faces Closure, Leaving 1,500 Low-Income Patients Without Dental Care

St. Mary Health Center, aWilmington-based health centerthat has been providing surgical dental services to low-income patients for over 30 years, is facing imminent closure on July 1, 2024. The center, which is the only one in Wilmington that offers these crucial services to the underserved community, received a 60-day notice to vacate the property from the Basilica of St. Mary without any explanation.

Why this matters: The closure of St. Mary Health Center highlights the vulnerability ofsafety-net healthcare providers and the devastating impact of their loss on marginalized communities. It also underscores the need for sustainable funding models and community support to ensure the continuity of essential health services.

The closure of St. Mary Health Center will have a devastating impact on the approximately 1,500 patients who rely on its services annually. Tremayne Tyson, a patient at the center, expressed his gratitude for the care he received, saying,"It was amazing, they did a good job for me. I am independent, so money only comes from me and my money has to go so many different ways. "Tyson also lamented the closure, stating,"It's just very heartbreaking and it's bad news. We have enough going on in our community. We don't need to keep adding on to the bad news."

Dr. Coleman Burgess, a volunteer and board member at St. Mary Health Center, emphasized the importance of the center's mission, stating, "We have people that have fallen on hard times for one reason or another and cannot afford traditional care costs. As an outreach ministry, we are obligated to do that. In the name of Christ." He also warned of the consequences of the closure, saying, "If we have to close these doors, it's going to be devastating for the 1500 patients that we see annually."

The center's staff has requested a meeting with church leadership to discuss the reason for the notice but has not received a response. They are seeking at least 24 months to apply for grants and fundraise to move to a new location. Dr. Doug DeGroote, a volunteer and retired oral surgeon, highlighted the unique role of the center, stating, "We take care of the poor and uninsured who are having acute and chronic dental issues and there's nowhere else for them to go."

St. Mary Health Center provides essential dental services to low-income patients, including those with acute and chronic dental issues, cancer patients, and referrals from Novant or other health care centers. Thecenter's servicesare crucial for the well-being of its patients, as dental work is essential for dealing with other conditions. However, the center operates on a minimal budget, making it difficult to relocate. As Dr. Burgess noted,"This clinic operates on a shoestring. Our budget is very minimal, we really don't have the funds to pick up and move somewhere else."

The impending closure of St. Mary Health Center on July 1, 2024, will leave 1,500 low-income patients in Wilmington without access to critical surgical dental services. The center's staff and volunteers are urgently seeking a solution to prevent this devastating loss of care for the underserved community.

Key Takeaways

• St. Mary Health Center, a Wilmington-based health center, faces closure on July 1, 2024.
• The center provides crucial surgical dental services to 1,500 low-income patients annually.
• The Basilica of St. Mary gave the center a 60-day notice to vacate without explanation.
• The center's staff seeks a meeting with church leadership to discuss the notice and potential relocation.
• Closure would leave low-income patients without access to critical dental services.