MILFORD, PA — A new Middletown, NY Community Health Center (MCHC) Inc. mobile dental unit made its first public appearance on February 17, at the Pike County Commissioners’ meeting.

Commissioners’ Chair Matt Osterberg said the county hoped the new MCHC service would aid Pike’s military veterans, who often travel considerable distances for Veterans’ Administration (VA) health services.

CEO Teresa Butler of MCHC said dental health is often ignored and has become a major issue in compounding other health problems.

Butler said MCHC is contracting with other VA subcontractors in the area to eliminate lengthy travel for veterans.

In addition to veterans services, Butler said that the new mobile unit will travel to any area host that asks, “schools, churches—just ask us,” she said. The van also provides an informal opportunity to familiarize children with dental health.

The $378,000 van, funded by a federal grant and custom built in North Carolina, is completely self-powered, has two fully functional dental exam suites and is equipped to provide all dental services, with the exception of gas anesthesia, MCHC Grants and Operations Administrator Maria Lacenera said.

Butler noted that MCHC already operates a separate primary health care facility on Broad Street in Milford, which came about three years ago, after they realized that many Pike residents used their Port Jervis center.

People in Pike “have been very supportive,” she said.

For more about MCHC services visit MCHCcare.org or call 845/343-7614.

In other business, Tim Knapp, coordinator at the Pike County Training Center, announced that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has recently certified the Lords Valley facility as a fully state-compliant training center. Public tours of the center, located at 135 Pike County Blvd., are available. The next tour opportunity is scheduled during volunteer firefighter training, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15. Call 570/296-6714 for details.