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You don’t normally think of going to the dentist’s and the doctor’s at the same time, but the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center in Calumet is bringing the two together.
Their new location features an open bay concept that allows them to integrate medical and dental services.
Director of Dental Services Dr. Glenda Reynolds says it’s a fantastic way to be able to provide services. “We can see the doctors across the hall, they can see us and we can share information, do exams across the hallway, talk about conditions,” Reynolds said.
Dr. Reynolds is teamed up with Dr. Kristina Welle to provide oral health care to an underserved community.
The new Calumet Family Health Center also provides opportunities patients didn’t have before.
Welle said, “The services here are more enhanced than what we had in our previous clinic. We now have the comprehensive care and preventive care. Previously, it was more geared towards emergencies.”
The center provides a trio of services—dental, medical and behavioral health—and does so regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.
Upper Great Lakes Calumet Family Health Center Welcomes New Dental Providers
CALUMET, MI – Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL) welcomes Glenda Reynolds, DDS, and Kristina Welle, DDS, to their dental services team. Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Welle will join Calumet Family Health Center’s team of medical and dental providers at their new location, 56720 Calumet Ave., Calumet, MI. The addition of two dentists and the new facility will increase oral health care in a region which has historically lacked access to care.
Oral health care is an essential part of UGL’s mission to provide exceptional health care services to all people in the Upper Great Lakes region. According to National Network for Health Access (NNOHA), research has clearly shown that oral health must be an integral part of providing “total body health.” Oral disease increases an individual’s risk of heart disease, stroke and adverse birth outcomes. In addition, studies have shown a relationship exists between diabetes and periodontal disease. Oral diseases remain the most common cause of bacterial infection and are typically easy to manage.
Dr. Reynolds, a member of the American Dental Association and the National Network of Oral Health Access, will serve as UGL’s dental director as well as see patients at the Calumet Family Health Center. She is returning to the Upper Peninsula from New Hampshire with extensive experience implementing oral health service at another health center. Previously, Dr. Reynolds provided oral health care at a health center, provided service through the US Air Force and owned her own practice.
Making an impact and improving oral health in the community drew Dr. Reynolds to UGL. She looks forward to improving oral health by increasing patient education, expanding access to care and helping the community to reduce the rate of dental decay, pain, swelling and visits to the emergency room.
Having lived in the Upper Peninsula previously, Dr. Reynolds enjoys the many outdoor recreation opportunities the Keweenaw has to offer. “I love being outdoors in the snow with my dog,” said Dr. Reynolds. “I am also looking forward to buying a snowmobile and exploring.”
Dr. Reynolds received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lake Superior State College in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. She then attended the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, to obtain her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). She completed her education in the US Air Force with Advanced Education in General Dentistry.
Dr. Welle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. After graduation from Carleton College, she provided support for healthcare related software and then worked as a clinic coordinator and dental assistant. Assisting with emergency dental procedures at a homeless shelter in Madison, WI, sparked Dr. Welle’s interest in dentistry. She enjoyed relieving tooth pain and improving smiles.
Dr. Welle graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, WI, with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). She has extensive service experience including Mission of Mercy, Head Start Dental Day, Give Kids a Smile, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, Celebrate Smiles and the outreach clinical rotations at Marquette University. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.
“I am excited to be helping my friends, neighbors and the community”, said Dr. Welle. “I like the excitement of Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center. They take a new and progressive approach to patient care through their patient-centered care model.”
Dr. Welle vacationed in the Upper Peninsula for eight years, and is now making the Upper Peninsula her home. Her many outdoor interests include biking, camping, snowshoeing, canoeing, cooking and gardening. She looks forward to the recreational activities the Keweenaw offers.
To schedule an appointment with Calumet Family Health Center’s dental or medical services call (906) 483-1177.
About Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center
Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center is your community based primary care center. We are designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to providing high quality primary care throughout the lifecycle to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
Our team of health care providers and support staff has adopted the model of practice known as the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH is a model of healthcare based on an ongoing, personal relationship between a patient, doctor and the patient’s care team. Whatever the medical needs – primary or secondary, preventive care, acute care, chronic care, behavioral health, or end-of-life care – the patient has a medical “home”; a single, trusted doctor and care team, through which continuous, comprehensive and integrated care is provided.
