Community Health Dentist Making Dental Health a Priority in Vermont and the Northeast U.S.

“I was honored when I got a call to interview for the Board of Delta Dental,” said Dr. Rachel Rivard, the Dental Director of Rutland Community Dental operated by Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region.

“The chance to exchange ideas and network with both dental and non-dental professionals will help me to be a stronger leader within my own practice,”said Dr. Rivard.

A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Rivard joined CHCRR’s Community Dental in the summer of 2017, adding her professional expertise in pediatric dentistry to CHCRR’s dental practices in Rutland and Shoreham.

Dr. Rivard has been honored with dental and public health awards including the Dr. Soloman Averback Humanitarian Award, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health Award, and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award.

“It’s been exciting to be able to bring my public health background and ideas to the Delta Dental board. So many of us on the board of Delta Dental of Vermont, along with Northeast Delta Dental, share the same vision for dental health. I enjoy being part of a team and organization that makes dental health a priority within our community,” she said.

Northeast Delta Dental is comprised of the Delta Dental plans for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and is a member of Delta Dental Plans Association, the largest provider of dental benefits in the U.S.  According to the group’s website, their mission is “to advance the oral health and overall wellness of our customers and the general public by providing innovative benefits and professional partnerships through diversified strategic business and philanthropic initiatives.”

Dr. Rivard is an advocate for public health access, focusing on creating a lifetime of good oral health.  “I believe that all people deserve access to a beautiful smile and teeth they can be proud of regardless of their socioeconomic barriers,” Dr. Rivard said.

CHCRR is central Vermont’s largest network of primary care, pediatric and dental services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham, CHCRR Pediatrics is in Rutland and CHCRR’s Express Care centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers.

The mission of the Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region is to improve the health and wellness of all people in the communities we serve by providing access to excellent medical and dental primary care regardless of any financial consideration.