CHP Launches Dental Care Expansion

03:03PM / Tuesday, February 08, 2022Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Health Programs (CHP) is launching a $6 million, multi-year expansion of its dental care services, in order to serve more area residents who rely on MassHealth (Medicaid) coverage to pay for their oral health care.

Just over 25,000 Berkshire County residents (about 20 percent of the population) are covered by MassHealth. But dental care for these patients is often a challenge because just a handful of area dental practices can accept MassHealth as payment.

CHP's practices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington care for about 4,000 of these patients, but seeks to double that number in the coming years.

This year CHP will expand the practices in North Adams and Pittsfield. In early 2023 CHP will open a new dental practice on Depot Street in Adams. Further out, the Great Barrington Family Dental Center will also expand.

"Dental care for people who rely on Medicaid is a longstanding public health issue," said Lia Spiliotes, CEO of Community Health Programs. "It's not unique to the Berkshires, and we believe CHP can make an impact."

CHP's dental expansion is also feasible partly because on Jan. 1, the state increased MassHealth reimbursements by 65 percent, with certain "add-on" fees. These increased payments are specifically for dental care provided by community health centers like CHP.

"This increase is a long overdue first step, but it doesn't include dental practices that are not federally funded health centers," said Spiliotes. "CHP can't meet this need alone, but we can make an impact."

Dr. John Brazill, CHP director of dental medicine, said oral health is a factor in overall wellness.

"Lack of routine dental care can lead to loss of teeth, poor nutrition, poor self-esteem, and difficulties with employment and social interaction," he said. "And dental problems can cause crippling pain, which can lead to opioid abuse."

CHP has received an initial grant of $523,756 from the federal Health Services Resource Administration for the new practice in Adams. CHP will dedicate some of its own funds and additional public and private grants will be tapped over the course of this multi-year project.

CHP is also launching the #CHPSmile Project to help raise community and community contributions.

For information about the CHP dental expansion and the #CHPSmile Project, visit chpsmile.org/smile

Tags: CHP, dentist,

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First Eagle Mill Units in Lee to Open in Springtime

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:02AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Eagle Mills developer Jeffrey Cohen updates the Lee Chamber of Commerce as the project's phases, and the amount of heavy lifting to get it to this point.

LEE, Mass. — More than 50 affordable units are expected to come online at the Eagle Mill this spring.

This is the first of several planned development phases at the former paper mill that dates back to the early 1800s, totaling more than 200 units. The Lee Chamber of Commerce hosted an information session on the project during its Business Breakfast last Wednesday.

"We are here because we have a really big project that's happened for a very long time here in Lee, that, for myself, has provided a real sense of hope, and has has really defined this community as one of the few in the Berkshires that's really looking forward, as opposed to just being sort of stuck in the past," Chamber member Erik Williams said.

The estimated $60 million development broke ground in 2021 after nearly a decade of planning and permitting. Hundreds of workers once filed into the 8-acre complex, producing up to 165 tons of paper a week. The last mill on the property closed in 2008.

Hearthway is accepting applications for 56 affordable apartments called "The Lofts at Eagle Mill" with expected occupancy in May. The housing nonprofit was also approved for 45 additional units of new construction on the site.

Jeffrey Cohen of Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC said the project dates back to 2012, when a purchase contract was signed for the West Center Street property. The developers didn't have to close on the property until renovation plans were approved in 2017, and the mill was sold for $700,000.

It seemed like a great deal for the structure and eight acres on the Housatonic River, Cohen explained, but he wasn't aware of the complex pre-development costs, state, and local approvals it would entail. Seven individually owned homes adjacent to the property were also acquired and demolished for parking and site access.

"If I knew today what I knew then, I'm not sure we'd be sitting here," he said, joining the breakfast remotely over Zoom.

Cohen praised the town's government, explaining that the redesigns and critiques "Could not have been done in a friendlier way, in a more helpful way," and the two Massachusetts governors serving during the project's tenure. The Eagle Mill redevelopment is supported by state and federal grants, as well as low-income housing tax credits.

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