The Community Dental Clinic at Linden Pointe in Hermitage, PA
Creating Momentum: The Evolution of Community Dental Care in Mercer County
It started with one weekend.
Rows of dental chairs in tents. Volunteers moved with urgency and care. Patients waited- some in pain, many without any other option – hoping to be seen.
For three years, the Buhl Regional Health Foundation (BRHF) partnered with the Remote Area Medical (RAM) team and Dr. John Clemenza, a local board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and owner of Keystone OMS, to bring a free, pop-up, dental clinic to Mercer County, transforming a single weekend each year into a powerful response to a growing crisis of access. In just 48 hours, up to 300 patients received care; relief that, for many, had been delayed far too long.
And it mattered.
But year after year, as the chairs were packed up and the temporary clinic left town, one thing became increasingly clear: the need didn’t disappear.
“Those weekends showed us both the impact and the gaps,” said Kateri Linn, Director of Programming at the Buhl Regional Health Foundation. “We were meeting people at a critical moment — but we weren’t able to stay with them beyond it.”
The annual RAM pop-up dental clinic at Sharon High School, Sharon, PA
What the Weekend Couldn’t Do
The RAM model was designed to respond to urgency, and it did exactly that. It relieved pain. It addressed immediate concerns. It provided care where there had been none. But oral health is rarely a one-time event.
A tooth can be pulled in a day. A cavity can be filled. But chronic conditions, infections, and long-term oral health challenges require something more: follow-up, prevention, and trust built over time.
BRHF began asking a different kind of question. Not just “how many people can we serve in a weekend?” but also “what happens to them after they leave?”
A Shift in Thinking
That question led to a deeper evaluation of resources, outcomes, and what sustainable care could look like here in Mercer County. The answer wasn’t “more pop-up clinics.” The answer was building a sustainable, lasting solution that could serve more people in the community right when they need it.
By transitioning from the RAM model to a permanent partnership with Dr. Clemenza’s Keystone OMS, BRHF has shifted from an event-based approach to one rooted in community.
“The RAM clinic was beneficial for patients’ immediate needs,” said Dr. Clemenza. “Now, the Community Dental Clinic allows us to treat patients in a more comprehensive fashion addressing multiple aspects of dentistry including preventive, restorative, surgical, and reconstructive care. We have the ability to not only address painful teeth, but we can replace them and provide better, long-term function.”
Today, care is available year-round through the Community Dental Clinic in Hermitage, PA, serving Mercer County residents who face barriers to dental care. The clinic prioritizes urgent and ongoing needs while also providing education to support long-term oral health. Patients are referred through qualified organizations like Link the Valley, which helps determine eligibility and coordinate access. Once referred, individuals can schedule directly with the clinic, creating a continuous pathway to care beyond a single visit.
From Relief to Resilience
This transition reflects something deeper about how Buhl Regional Health Foundation approaches its work. Programs are not meant to stay the same. They are meant to evolve – guided by data, community needs, and a commitment to making every dollar work as hard as possible.
“We’re constantly learning” Linn said. “What’s working? Where are the gaps? And how can we adapt in a way that leads to better long-term outcomes? This shift to our Dental Care Program is a direct result of that process.”
The move from a 48-hour clinic to a permanent care model is a clear example of that philosophy in action: transforming a successful program into something even more impactful.
It’s also a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful change isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing things differently.
What Exists Today
The RAM clinics will always be part of this story. They met a critical need and provided care to hundreds of individuals when it was needed most. But they also helped illuminate a path forward. Today, that path leads to something more stable. More connected. More sustainable. A place where care doesn’t end when the weekend is done.
Together, we can close the gap in dental health disparities. Tell your friends, colleagues, or neighbors about the Community Dental Clinic today! To learn more about the referral process visit our website at https://buhlregionalhealthfoundation.org/programs/community-dental-clinic/.
An open house was held at the Community Dental Clinic in 2025, allowing local stakeholders to visit and learn about the important work of the CDC.