We provide preventive dental services for Medicaid, CHP+ (eligible children 0-21 years, pregnant women) and also offer a sliding fee schedule. Services include restorative treatment, oral screening, cleaning, oral hygiene instruction, fluoride varnish application, and sealants.
- Se habla español.
- Durango Southwest Smile Makers clinic: (970) 385-4480; Commons Building, 701 Camino del Rio (by Albertson’s); Fax (970) 247-7882; appointments available Mon-Wed.
- Pagosa Springs: (970) 385-4480; appointments available on the last Tuesday of each month.
- To save time, fill out your health history form in advance: Child (Spanish), Adult (Spanish)
- See our Services & Fees schedule. To apply for insurance, please see Connect for Health Colorado (private) or Colorado PEAK (public) websites or see our enrollment services.
- School-based hygiene days are scheduled through the respective school. For information call (970) 385-4480. We regularly serve La Plata, Archuleta and San Juan county schools.
- School Based Health Centers (SBHC) in La Plata County are located at Durango High School and Florida Mesa, and students can get referrals to our clinic through their SBHC workers for additional restorative care.
- The La Plata Integrated Healthcare community health center (run by Axis Health System) can refer patients for care; referrals must come through their office.
Oral Health Background Information
Oral disease, although nearly 100 percent preventable, affects children, adults and families across the state of Colorado every day. While oral diseases are significant themselves, their relationship to overall general health is often overlooked. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Oral Health Program is working to show connections every day to general health, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, tobacco, school health, seniors, and pregnancy outcomes.
There are significant health disparities in Coloradans regarding oral health. For more information, see the 2013 Health Disparities: Exploring Health Equity in Colorado’s 10 Winnable Battles report.
Regional Oral Health Specialist
Our Regional Oral Health Specialist (ROHS) is a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) funded position for La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, San Juan and Dolores Counties to provide local support for oral health assessments policy development and oral health access at a community level for vulnerable, underserved populations.
Our ROHS co-sponsors an Oral Health Coalition with the Citizen’s Health Advisory Council (CHAC). To get involved, call us at (970) 385-4480.
Cavity Free at Three
Cavity Free at Three provides free training and resources service for healthcare providers to assist them in improving their outreach, education and service delivery to families with the goal of preventing oral disease early in life. It is funded by six Colorado health foundations and the Colorado Departments of Public Health and Environment and Health Care Policy & Financing.
San Juan Basin Health’s role is to outreach to local dentists, healthcare providers and social service agencies to let them know about this program and involve them the effort to get every child Cavity Free at Three. Our hygienist, Kari Plante, is a Master Trainer; for more information, contact her at: (970) 385-4480.