OneWorld Community Health Centers | EXCHANGE Issue 1, 2025
OPENS THE DOOR TO TOTAL HEALTH DENTISTRY Page 7
CONTENT
FROM OUR CEO
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For over 50 years, OneWorld has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing quality health care for all people, regardless of their identity or financial
OneWorld digs in to solve health care gaps
in dentistry 04
A kind of ‘renaissance’
Dental hygienists make the connection to whole-body health 07 OneWorld’s mobile dental clinics are on a roll 10 OneWorld employees make an impact 12
status. We carry that commitment forward as we continue to serve our patients and larger community, in a time of increasing need for our most vulnerable neighbors. One way we are demonstrating our continuing investment in South Omaha and beyond is by breaking ground on the Health Care Workforce Development Center. This new facility will provide expanded access to essential services like behavioral health care and early childhood development, while also creating career pathways for current and future health care personnel. Thanks to the support of our generous donors and community, we are thrilled to add this facility to the OneWorld Livestock Exchange Campus. OneWorld is no stranger to creative, innovative thinking. In this issue of The Exchange, you’ll learn about some of the ways our Dental team dreams big – and brings those visions to life. From expanding access to care for children and adults to investing in our own employees’ career growth, OneWorld Dental is working to bring more healthy smiles to our community. None of this could be done without you, our supporters. Together, let’s strengthen our resolve to protect and expand quality health care for all people today and in the years to come. With respect,
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Volunteer surgical crew lend their wisdom
Our tiniest patients felt the love!
Thank you to all who showed their support for newborn patients and their families during this year’s Onesies for OneWorld campaign! With your generosity and support, we raised over $33,800. The funds will go towards our Baby Boutique and benefit our patients directly, providing baby clothes, diapers and baby care items. We are continuously inspired by our community. From our patients to our donors, and from our community partners to campaign sponsors, everyone plays a part in building healthier lives and ensuring care for all people. Thank you for helping our tiniest patients and their families get a strong start!
Andrea M. Skolkin Chief Executive Officer
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OneWorld digs in to solve health care gaps Above, an anticipated view of the $17 million OneWorld Health Care Workforce Development Center (rendering courtesy of Leo A Daly). The project is supported in part by funding from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, donors and other foundations. Below right, state and local dignitaries join OneWorld staff for a ceremonial groundbreaking. At below left, CEO Andrea Skolkin speaks to the project’s impact.
Leaders from OneWorld and the community celebrated the start of an impactful project at OneWorld’s Livestock Exchange Campus, with a groundbreaking ceremony in March. The Health Care Workforce Development Center will showcase OneWorld’s deepening investment in South Omaha and commitment to closing health care service gaps. The new center will become home to expanded workforce training opportunities for staff and the community, additional behavioral health services and an early childhood development center. Upon completion, the 29,000-square-foot facility will stand three stories and join the trio of buildings currently located at OneWorld’s main campus. Learn more at: oneworldomaha.org/news
From left: Brianda Ramos Lopez, Grecia Lara Becerril and Alejandra Iniguez recently completed training and other requirements to become Expanded Function Dental Assistants. A ‘kind of renaissance’ in dentistry: Dental assistants expand what’s possible
A passion for learning, fueled by immense hustle, set three OneWorld dental assistants on a path of advanced training and an expanded career trajectory. Alejandra Iniguez, Grecia Lara Becerril and Brianda Ramos Lopez saw an opportunity when new courses opened in Nebraska that would allow them to pursue the requirements needed to practice as Expanded Function Dental Assistants. The journey included multiple classes, exams and becoming Licensed Dental Assistants – all necessary steps before adding expanded functions. “Being able to do extra duties, like taking final impressions, adjusting dentures, cementing stainless steel crowns on primary teeth and turning on nitrous oxide – that’s the course that we took [between steps],” Iniguez said. “So we’re
just collecting all the achievements. Anything I can grab to make it happen.” Professional growth is a core principle at OneWorld. In the dental department, for example, assistants can follow a progression as their skills and experience develop. Dental Director Brian Penly, DDS, said implementing this ability to level up marks a “kind of renaissance” in dentistry, bringing it into alignment with other medical fields. “We’ve also made inroads into providing this career path for other people too,” said Dental Director Brian Penly, DDS. “And part of a good business, I think, is looking out for your employees and letting them lead a better life. That’s a goal, you know: being more challenged.” For Iniguez, OneWorld offers not just an opportunity to challenge herself, but also to work
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in an environment that is meaningful for her. Before joining OneWorld about seven years ago, she shadowed at other dental offices that weren’t the right fit. Meanwhile, she had a hunch that OneWorld – where family members have gone for care, and near where she grew up and went to school – would be the perfect place for her. “It’s that part of the community that I’m familiar with, and I felt confident that I can give patients the care that they need in their preferred language,” she said. “So I felt that would be here, that I can accomplish those goals while also maintaining my personal goals of, I want to advance in this field.” In addition to earning her Expanded Function Dental Assistant designation, Iniguez also recently took on a new role: Dental Assistant Trainer. This role helps standardize the on-the-job training dental assistants receive at OneWorld, so that everyone receives essential and current information regardless of clinical location.
“When I applied to OneWorld, my objective was to become a well-rounded dental assistant,” she said. “I think when the dental assistant trainer position opened, I said, I think I’ve met that, so let me now teach or help other people achieve
Alejandra Iniguez Dental Assistant Trainer
their goals. Whether they want to be well-rounded, or whatever their goals are, hopefully I have enough experience to give somebody else all the knowledge that I’ve learned so far.” While Iniguez is still new to her current role, she’s ready for this next level. Thanks to the commitment and training she has pursued, alongside colleagues Lara Becerril and Ramos Lopez, OneWorld patients will continue to benefit from growing expertise and quality of care.
All about Expanded Function Dental Assistants An Expanded Function Dental Assistant, or EFDA, is a dental assistant who has completed additional training and met the requirements needed to perform certain types of dental work. The allowable functions may vary by state, but in general, EFDAs are able to perform more duties and may have advanced standing or earning potential.
What qualifications do you need to become an EFDA? To qualify as an EFDA in Nebraska, an individual must work 1,500 hours as a Licensed Dental Hygienist or a Licensed Dental Assistant, complete applicable coursework, pass board exams and complete other requirements. All of OneWorld’s EFDAs completed their coursework through University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. How do EFDAs help OneWorld’s patients? Because EFDAs can perform some duties that dentists have previously performed, dentists may be freed up to see more patients or work on more complex cases. For patients, this means improved access to the right care, by the right professional, at the right time. What special clinical skills are they qualified to provide? In Nebraska, EFDAs can place simple restorations on one surface of the tooth or complex restorations on multiple surfaces.
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Dental hygienists make the connection to whole-body health
The clock was already ticking when Jose* arrived at the OneWorld dental clinic. In less than two months, he was scheduled for an orthopedic surgery. But first, he needed dental work – a lot of it – in order to be cleared for his surgery. There were barriers to the dental care itself: long wait
A complicated care plan Perez remembers talking with Jose about the list of dental procedures he’d need, as recommended by the dentist. Hearing the list, Jose balked. “And then he said, ‘Well, I don’t need anything,’” Perez recalls. “I think when you have a patient like Jose, it’s a great opportunity to be with them, and you can explain what they need and why.” Her explanation worked. After successfully convincing Jose to take the next steps in his care plan and stay on track for surgery, Perez began looking at dentists’ schedules and making calls anytime a cancellation appeared. She found room in one dentist’s schedule for an extraction; in another dentist’s schedule, for a couple of fillings. As Jose’s plan progressed, other providers and staff became invested too. Everyone started keeping an eye on appointment cancellations to fit him in before his surgery. Finally, the efforts paid off and Jose completed the most essential dental work. Perez said she felt relief when it was time to sign off on his paperwork and instruct him to take the papers to his surgical team. “I was really pleased with our team for everything, so that was my thank you,” Perez said. “Almost everybody, they have to help. They have to do it. I think that was a great story for our community, our teamwork and everybody.” Motivated by caring connections What is it about this team – and so many teams at OneWorld – that makes success stories like Jose’s possible? To Perez, she recognizes what she and many of her patients might have in common. “I think first of all, we’re feeling connected to the patient,” Perez said. “I think we speak the
Mayra Perez Dental Hygienist
times, expense, no babysitter for his kid. Tooth extractions and deep tissue cleanings couldn’t wait until later; dental procedures like these could release bacteria into the bloodstream and put a surgical site at risk for infection. Meanwhile, his surgery hung in the balance. Enter Jose’s No. 1 advocate: OneWorld Dental Hygienist Mayra Perez. A dental hygienist’s multiple roles “If I’m ever sick, I kind of want her to be the person, helping me out at the hospital,” said OneWorld Dental Director Brian Penly, DDS, commenting on Perez. “She’ll get some things done.” At any dental clinic, a hygienist is responsible for tasks like completing patient screenings, taking radiographs, removing calculus (tartar) and plaque, applying sealants and fluoride treatments, and creating teeth impressions. At OneWorld, dental hygienists also play an important role as public health educators. They teach patients about healthy practices such as teeth brushing, flossing and nutrition. They understand that oral health is deeply connected to general health, and they help draw the connections for patients between good dental hygiene and the prevention of systemic diseases. And sometimes, at OneWorld, dental hygienists clear a pathway to hope.
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same language. We come in, [having] almost part of the same background.” She, like many patients and colleagues, immigrated to the United States. As a child, she didn’t have regular dental or other medical care, which led to dental problems later on. She said her own early experiences with the dentist involved a lot of hard work on her part, as well as learning about the links between oral health and systemic health. These personal experiences, along with a passion for her own continuing training, help Perez provide compassionate and comprehensive care as she educates her patients. She reminds her patients that oral health is connected to overall health. The bigger picture of prevention Research shows that as many as 57 systemic diseases and conditions have been linked with periodontitis, a condition in which inflammatory responses cause bone loss and tissues around the tooth to become detached. These illnesses include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke/cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Risk factors for periodontitis include genetic susceptibility and illness due to other diseases, as well as risky behaviors like inadequate oral hygiene or smoking.
“I like hygiene, because it’s more prevention for everything,” Perez said. With so much at stake, dental hygienists become a first line of defense as they educate patients about the importance of good oral health. And with education comes the potential for healthy habits and healing. In the case of Jose, Perez knew that a successful surgery started with addressing his dental problems. And she and the OneWorld team were ready to set him on a path of success. “You’ve been in their shoes. Or if not, you know somebody who’s been in the same shoes, and the last thing you want is for them to be having this trouble. You want to help this person,” Perez said. “You want to do everything.”
Oral health: The facts about cavities
57%
Children and adolescents aged 12–19 in the United States who have had cavities Adults 20 or older who have had cavities in their permanent teeth U.S. children who have dental sealants on any of their permanent teeth - although dental sealants can be used to prevent cavities Reduction of cavities in baby teeth as a result of fluoride varnishes
90%+
42%
33%
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Oral health affects overall health
Dentistry as public health intervention
Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
Problems in the mouth don’t just stay there. When oral health issues develop, they can have a major impact on other systems in your body. Chronic oral infection, like periodontitis, is a risk factor for systemic disease, including cardiovascular diseases, peripheral arterial disease, respiratory diseases and low birth weight. Oral disease can also cause problems with eating, speaking and learning – and can affect your social life, academic performance and career. Good oral health practices can help prevent more serious illness and disease. At OneWorld, our dental teams are here to listen and work with you on a plan to prevent future issues, and treat problems when they arise.
Clean between your teeth daily using tools like dental floss, water floss, interdental brushes or toothpicks.
Limit sugary foods and drinks.
Avoid tobacco in any form.
Schedule a dental checkup every six months.
OneWorld’s mobile dental clinics are on a roll OneWorld has two dental mobile clinics, the Fluo-ride and Smiles, that visit area schools and other community locations to provide pediatric oral health care. These clinics ensure that kids have access to high-quality dental care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The mobile clinics travel to multiple school districts and community centers. Last year, 731 children visited the Fluo-Ride and 471 visited Smiles at locations including Omaha Public Schools, Bellevue Public Schools, Ralston Public Schools, Plattsmouth Early Learning Center and Educare. Kids who come to the mobile clinics can be seen for routine cleanings, exams and patient education. One of the primary goals for the clinics, however, is to serve children in second grade, providing protective sealants once their first molar teeth break through. When kids need additional care, the OneWorld Pediatric Dental Clinic - which opened in 2023 - is available for next steps and referrals to specialty care.
Providers like Kate May, DDS, lead dentist for the Fluo-Ride Mobile, and our dental team is committed to increasing access to pediatric dental care so every child can experience a healthy smile.
OneWorld dental by the numbers
In 2024, OneWorld provided dental care for 11,195 patients across five permanent and two mobile clinics. Dental services are offered at the Bellevue Clinic, Livestock Exchange Health Campus, Northwest Clinic, Pediatric Dental Clinic and West Clinic. Two mobile dental clinics, Fluo-Ride and Smiles, visit area schools and communication locations.
There were 10,423 adult dental appointments across locations.
62% of all dental patients were under age 18.
2,479 pediatric dental appointments were at mobile clinics.
4,827 pediatric dental appointments were at all other dental clinics.
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We’re smiling bright with gratitude
Protecting our patients’ health and restoring smiles is possible thanks to the support of our generous donors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following supporters of OneWorld’s dental services:
2024 program donors
• Adah and Leon Millard Foundation • American National Bank • The Building Healthy Futures Fund at the Omaha Community Foundation • D F Dillon Foundation • Direct Relief • Health Resources and Services Administration • Holland Foundation
• Immanuel Vision Foundation • Mammel Foundation • Nebraska Total Care • Pacific Life Foundation • Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation • Richard Brooke Foundation • Sherwood Foundation • State of Nebraska • United Way
Young patients receive something to smile about
Orthodontic treatment improves overall dental health and oral function, while also improving a patient’s smile and self-esteem. Yet, as anyone who has ever seen the price tag for braces or other orthodontia knows, it’s also expensive. Thanks to a special program funded by the Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation, young OneWorld patients received comprehensive care last year from partnering orthodontists. Partners include Drs. Laura Low and Julie Wees of Wees & Low Orthodontics and Dr. Nathan Hawley of Hawley Orthodontics. The children who received orthodontic services through the program would not have otherwise been able to access this care due to financial barriers. Community support of OneWorld’s patients means more children will have smiles for life.
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4 questions for the Dental Director
What are some things that have surprised you in your 10 years with OneWorld about community-based dentistry? shared reflections on his time with OneWorld and his hopes going forward. This interview has been lightly edited for space. We had an opportunity to chat with OneWorld Dental Director Brian Penly, DDS. Dr. Penly
Brian Penly, DDS, Dental Director 2024 Clinical Excellence Award • Health Center Association
What are some ways that you’re thinking about workforce retention and development? One of the things that we try to do is be flexible with our team members and try to grow people from within. We’re always looking to see if we can promote somebody from a position to give them upward mobility. Lots of times what that means is that for dental assistants, we look to our front desk or we look to our phones team or other places that maybe somebody is in a position where they don’t feel like they have a lot of upward mobility and try to train from within. The same thing goes for dental hygiene. When we recruit people, especially when we recruit people that come to us from outside, it doesn’t scare me away when they tell me they’re trying to go to school for dental hygiene. Rather, our goal is to get them in the door, have them become part of our team, let them see what a great place this is to work, and then hopefully we can hang on to them. What else would you like people to know? One of the pain points that we have is with our pediatric clinic. We see a lot of cases that need to go to an operating room – a lot of young children that cannot sit for dental care but need extensive dental rehabilitation. Unfortunately, not every single one of those children that pass through our clinics qualifies for Medicaid, and the cost to have somebody go to an operating room … it’s quite expensive. I sure would love to find a way to fund that. This is the very base level safety net where kids are in very rough shape and it’s going to affect their growth, their development, their ability to learn.
The thing that surprised me the most was there’s such a focus on doing things the very best that you can, and I think that’s not often associated with community dentistry or the public health industry. … The reality of the situation is that we’re Joint Commission accredited, and we have the highest level of infection control that I’ve ever worked in before.
Brian Penly, DDS Dental Director
There’s a lot of dedication to making sure that we do things safely and correctly for our patients, not just in the dental chair but behind the scenes as well. We work really hard to make sure that things are fair for the patient. There’s a certain level of justice in terms of everything we do. Could you tell me about what you’re looking forward to over this next year, or some of the things Dental has planned? The Expanded Function Dental Assistants are a key thing we’re going to be working on this year. Part of that goal is to spend more time developing [them] so that they can start to work to the top of their abilities. The second thing is that we’re going to be trying to transition into a more digital office in terms of patient care. Our goal is to be using digital scanning, where you take cameras into the mouth … and I’m so excited about that because I think that’s going to change a lot of things for our patients.
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Team members from Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery contributed their time and expertise to assist OneWorld patients. Photos courtesy of Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery.
Volunteer surgical crew lend their wisdom
For many young adults, it can be difficult to access affordable care when their wisdom teeth need to come out – especially when the procedure involves IV sedation or complicating factors like impactions. Thanks to the community-oriented staff at Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery, about 25 OneWorld patients benefited from free oral surgery last fall. Providers at both organizations brought expertise, enthusiasm and dedication to the collaboration. “Our team’s philosophy is ‘the needs of the patient come first,’ which drives us to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to all individuals, regardless of their circumstances,” said Alexa Bilava, Practice Administrator at Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery, who helped coordinate the partnership. A large crew contributed to the project, including surgeons James O’Brien, DDS; Caleb Schadel, DDS; and Blair Racker,
DDS, MD, of Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery; Andrea Stahlecker, DDS, of OneWorld; OneWorld support staff who provided interpretation services; nurses; surgical assistants; and administrative staff. The participating patients were selected due to anticipated complications or needs around removing their third molars, or wisdom teeth. “The team was touched by the gratitude and appreciation expressed by the patients,” Bilava said. “Seeing the relief and happiness on their faces after receiving care was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. The day was filled with meaningful interactions and a sense of fulfillment from knowing we made a difference.” OneWorld is deeply grateful for Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery’s partnership. Learn more about Omaha & Council Bluffs Oral Surgery at: oralsurgeryomaha.com
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“
Once I met the patients we serve, I knew this organization was where I wanted to build my career. I am passionate about providing our patients with access to up-to-date medical treatments and education to better their overall health.” Magda Alvarez, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
When you work with us, we’ll take care of you
While our greatest gift is helping patients, growing your career is our joy. If you feel called to serve the community and want to work in an energizing, professional environment, we invite you to explore careers at OneWorld.
Benefits: • Health, dental and vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) • Health Savings accounts (HSAs) • Retirement plan with employer match • Paid holidays, sick leave and bereavement leave • Tuition reimbursement and professional development
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4920 S. 30 th St., Ste. 103 Omaha, NE 68107 (402) 734-4110 oneworldomaha.org
Erik Servellon Development and Communications Director eservellon@oneworldomaha.org If you no longer wish to receive information about OneWorld Community Health Centers, please contact Erik Servellon, Development and Communications Director.
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Katie Sunde, APRN Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner
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