Due to statewide shortage of dentists, clinic closing April 27, 2017
BELOIT, Wis.— After providing affordable dental care to the Darlington, Wis. Community since 2009, Community Health Systems, Inc. has made the difficult decision to suspend services at Darlington Community Health Center, located at 435 Main Street in downtown Darlington. The clinic, which employs seven staff, will remain open until April 27, 2017.
The decision to close this clinic was the result of a shortage of dentists willing to relocate to the area. CHS staff have been actively recruiting dentists to the clinic for several years, but have been unable to secure a commitment from a suitable candidate. With the recent resignation of the current sole dentist, the lack of success in recruiting her replacement, and the overall dentist shortage throughout the state of Wisconsin, suspending services became inevitable.
“We know there is a need for dental services in this part of the state, but unfortunately we have been unable to find the dentists to meet the need,” explains CHS Chief Executive Officer Julie Sprecher. “We’ve tried a variety of recruitment methods, including abundant advertising and using independent recruiters, but ultimately we could not find anyone.”
CHS’s administration informed clinic staff of the closing in late February, and are working with the affected staff to help them transition to new positions with other employers or within another CHS location.
“Our affected staff and patients are our top priority during this time of transition,” Sprecher says.
Today, CHS is sending letters to all active Darlington Community Health Center patients informing them of the clinic’s closure, and offering the names and contact information of other dentists in the area, as well as referring them to our Beloit Area Community Health Center.
Media contact
For more information contact Lynn Vollbrecht at (608) 313-3375.
