The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW), serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties, is providing information regarding the transition of operational management for Dental Clinics North (DCN).

In recent weeks, information has circulated within our communities and employees regarding this transition. HDNW is committed to ensuring employees, patients, and community partners have clear, factual information.

At the June Board of Health meeting, the Board reviewed an evaluation of DCN’s operations. The evaluation identified operational inefficiencies that were creating financial strain for the organization. Following that review, the Board voted to terminate its existing contract with DCN Non-Profit for staffing and management services of the DCN clinics.

As a result of that action, operational leadership of the nine DCN clinics will transition directly to HDNW. HDNW owns all DCN clinics including buildings, equipment, and supplies. Currently, HDNW provides financial management, information technology, billing, facilities management, equipment, and purchasing services. Following this transition, HDNW will assume responsibility for payroll, human resources, and executive leadership.

This decision was not made without efforts of intentional collaboration with DCN Non-Profit board members and HDNW Health Officer, Shannon Klonowski.

Since notifying DCN employees of the transition, HDNW has prioritized open and transparent communication. HDNW staff, including Health Officer Klonowski, are actively visiting DCN clinic locations to meet directly with staff to answer questions and listen to their ideas for improvements.  HDNW has also distributed two rounds of employee questions and answers to all DCN staff addressing common questions about the transition.

HDNW’s vision is Healthy People in Healthy Communities. That vision guides every aspect of this transition. The objective is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of all nine dental clinics by improving operational inefficiency, supporting recruitment and retention, reducing patient wait times, and enhancing the quality of care provided throughout the region.

To be clear, HDNW will not be closing any of the nine Dental Clinics North locations. The intent of this transition is to preserve and strengthen dental services for the communities we serve.

HDNW remains committed to transparency throughout this process and will continue providing timely updates as this transition progresses. Our priority is ensuring uninterrupted access to quality dental care for patients.

For more information on the transition, click here to watch the June Board of Health meeting: June Board of Health meeting. For more information on HDNW please visit our website at nwhealth.org. To stay updated on relevant health information, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter here.