PRESS RELEASE

Plainfield Health Center Expands Dental Department
Sam Wakim, DMD Joins Staff

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 11, 2002-PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY- The Plainfield Health Center, one of fifteen Federally Qualified Health Centers in New Jersey, dedicated to providing cost effective primary health care services for the residents of Plainfield and surrounding communities, announced today the addition of Dr. Sam Wakim to the staff of its dental practice.

Dentistry has been a part of the Plainfield Health Center’s scope of services since WHEN. The need for dentistry is enormous throughout the community served by the Center, as few private dentists are willing to treat patients who are uninsured. In addition, it has been proven that oral health status is a strong predictor of overall health status, and the Plainfield Health Center is committed to educating the community about the importance of regular dental care. Today, the Plainfield Health Center serves over 2,000 dental patients alone, and with the addition of the two new dental operatories earlier this year, and the addition of a new dentist to the staff, XXX new patients will have access to dental services.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Wakim join our staff of dental professions,” said Dr. Margaret Murray-Sobers, Chief of Dental Services at the Plainfield Health Center. “He brings not only dental credentials and experience to our team, but also background and education in the area of dental public health.” Dr. Wakim joins the Plainfield Health Center from Eastern Dental, in Northfield, New Jersey. Prior to Eastern Dental, Dr. Wakim was in private practice in Summit, New Jersey. He holds his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

About The Plainfield Health Center

The Plainfield Health Center, incorporated as the Plainfield Neighborhood Health Services Corporation, was born in 1969 under the auspices of the 1960's Model Cities Neighborhood Program. Led by a dedicated group of community activists, the Center was initially created to provide accessible health care to the residents of the West End of Plainfield.

Since then, the Center has grown, added more services, increased the number of specialties of professional health staff, and expanded its reach to the entire City of Plainfield and neighboring communities. Today, the Plainfield Health Center serves more than 17,000 patients annually. Its total care program provides adult medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, adolescent medicine, school based services, dentistry and ancillary support services.

copyright © PHC 2002