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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Free Pet Food Drive-Thru in Becket

10:43AM / Friday, February 06, 2026

BECKET, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society will give out bags of cat and dog food to pet owners in need during a drive-thru event this Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at the Becket Washington School Parking Lot, 12 Maple Street in Becket.

The drive-thru is in conjunction with the Becket Food Pantry.

Cat and dog owners can drive up to the distribution point and remain in their vehicle while someone takes their order and loads it into their vehicle. Cat owners will get a 6-pound bag of food and dog owners will get a 20-pound bag, no questions asked. The event is open to all, regardless of enrollment in Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank or participation in the Becket Food Pantry and is made possible by donations from Wendy and James Martin of the Martin Family Donor Advised Fund, the Eichenbaum/Archer Family Foundation and an anonymous private foundation.

"We gave out nearly 7,200 pounds of pet food in our holiday drive-thrus in Great Barrington, North Adams and Pittsfield," said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society's Executive Director. "People not only drove, but walked up to those events. I can't tell you how many of them told us how thankful they were for help feeding their cats or dogs," he said. "With the cold weather lately, we don't want people choosing between staying warm and feeding themselves or their cats their pets. With this event, we're hoping to reach more folks in the hilltowns. Thanks to our generous donors, we have more than 7,500 pounds of pet food to do just that! Thank you to the Becket Food Pantry for making the event possible."

Berkshire Humane Society's Food Pantry events are part of the nonprofit's efforts to keep families together and prevent people from feeling they must surrender their pet to the shelter. Other programs include the shelter's monthly Pet Food Bank, to which drive-thru recipients may enroll; low-cost spay and neuter and other veterinary services at the Society's Wellness Clinic; and dog obedience classes at Family Dog School.

Berkshire Humane Society also accepts donations to provide pet food for more families in need. Monetary donations are preferred because the shelter has agreements with pet food companies to buy nutritious food at a bulk rate, feeding more animals per donor dollar. For more information about the drive-thru event or making a donation, call 413-447-7878, extension 127.

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