Dental Care

Dental Care2024-02-12T10:26:01-05:00

Dental Services

Thundermist is proud to be a long-standing safety net for people needing dental care in our community. However, in February 2024 we have implemented temporary limitations on accepting new dental patients. The limitations are different in each community based on resources available. They are as follows:

Woonsocket
• Temporary pause on new patients
• Temporary pause on new priority patients*
• Temporary pause of public health hygienist program in Woonsocket pediatric department

South County
• Temporary pause on new priority patients*
• Continue to accept new patients who are under 17 years old and receive primary care at Thundermist

West Warwick
• Continue accepting priority patients*, including priority patients from Woonsocket and South County (these patients will not be able to transfer back to Woonsocket or South County until the temporary pause in those communities is lifted)
• Continue accepting all West Warwick patients who receive primary care at Thundermist

*Priority patient categories in dental are: children; pregnant people; people living with HIV; people who are trans, nonbinary, and/or gender diverse

We hope to make these limitations temporary and will keep patients updated as things change. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thundermist offers dental care at all three sites, as well as in the community through our Community Dental Program. Dentists and hygienists provide a full range of comprehensive dental services to both children and adults. Sliding Scale discounts are available for patients who are financially eligible. Thundermist does not limit access to service due to inability to pay.

We also operate four additional programs:

Community Dental Program

The Community Dental Program uses portable dental equipment and offers services in oral examinations, preventative, hygienic and restorative services and classroom-based oral health education. A dentist and hygienist go to schools, Head Start classrooms, and after-school programs to screen children and then refer them for treatment to the Molar Express or their dental home.

The Molar Express

Do your kids need dental care? The Molar Express provides care to children without insurance.

The Molar Express, sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Charities, is a 40-foot long, specially designed dental office on wheels which travels to many RI communities. The program targets children up to age 21, many of whom are living in poverty or have no dental insurance. We partner with two other highly experienced RI health and human service providers (Comprehensive Community Action Program and East Bay Community Action Program) along with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern New England to bring full dental services tailored for the communities the Molar Express visits.

Providence Specialty Dental

Our Providence-based dental office meets the dental needs of people living with HIV and individuals who identify as trans* in our community.

Funding from the Ryan White (part C) grant enables us to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative dental services to people living with HIV, who might not otherwise have access to care.

Thundermist does not limit access to service due to inability to pay or insurance status.

The office is open on Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Oral Health Program

Thundermist’s oral health program in Woonsocket and West Warwick offers basic dental care in the primary care setting. Licensed public health hygienists provide oral health care to patients up to age 20, directly following their medical appointment.

Public health hygienists are licensed by the State of Rhode Island and employed by Thundermist. Public health hygienists provide oral health care outside of a dentist office. They make it easier and more convenient for children to get the dental care they need.

The program provides basic oral hygiene services such as a basic screening, dental cleaning, fluoride treatment, sealants, nutritional counseling, and oral hygiene instructions. Patients will be referred to a dentist for additional services.

We accept most insurances. Sliding scale fees are available for people with and without insurance.

Has it been more than a year since your child had dental care?

We can help. Licensed public health hygienists provide oral health care. Our services include:

  • Basic screening
  • Dental cleaning
  • Fluoride treatment
  • Sealants
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Oral health instructions

Patients may be referred to a dentist for additional services.

Thundermist of Woonsocket

Thundermist of West Warwick

Thundermist of South County

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