Northern Dental Access Center Earns National Recognition from Mutual of America

NEW YORK, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Dental Access Center will be recognized by Mutual of America for its program, "A Collaborative Approach to Community Dental Care," during a special hometown luncheon and award presentation at the Hampton Inn in Bemidji on Tuesday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m.

The Program was named as one of just two Honorable Mention recipients in Mutual of America's 2014 Community Partnership Award competition, which received more than 600 entries from organizations nationwide. As one of 10 finalists in the competition, Northern Dental Access Center received a $25,000 award from Mutual of America.

Northern Dental Access Center opened in Bemidji in 2009 to provide underserved residents in northwestern Minnesota with compassionate, patient-centered dental care, while eliminating barriers that often prevent individuals from getting comprehensive oral health care.

Today, the Center is staffed with 15 dentists and a core group of dental assistants, hygienists and patient advocates who serve more than 1,200 patients each month. Through various community partnerships, patients also receive services such as free transportation to and from appointments, insurance counseling, primary care referrals, mental health screening and more.

"The Center is organized to meet the complex needs of underserved patients who tend to put oral health on the back-burner because of financial, insurance, transportation and other issues," said Jeanne Edevold Larson, Executive Director for Northern Dental Access Center. "Our goal is to make that experience a positive one so that patients feel empowered to take ownership of their health and wellbeing. We remain deeply committed to expanding our reach and to improving the quality of life for thousands of people in this part of rural northern Minnesota."

About the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award annually recognizes the outstanding contributions that nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private and other social sector organizations, make to society. Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 190 partnerships from cities and towns all across America. To learn more about the Community Partnership Award, visit mutualofamerica.com/cpa.

"All of the award recipients are leaders in society, creating innovative and effective solutions to help those in need," said Thomas J. Moran, Chairman and CEO, Mutual of America. "Through the Community Partnership Award, Mutual of America is proud to recognize, support and help extend the reach of these vital partnerships."

About Mutual of America

Mutual of America specializes in providing retirement products and related services to organizations and their employees, as well as to individuals. Since 1945, Mutual of America has remained committed to offering plan sponsors, plan participants and individuals carefully selected, quality products and services at a competitive price and the personal attention they need to help build and preserve assets for a financially secure future. For more information, visit mutualofamerica.com.

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SOURCE Mutual of America

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