Every month Covenant Health in Plainview teams up with the Hale County Health Department to bring the community information on a number of health issues.
This month, it was all about the importance of dental health.
“Seek dental care early and often before it hurts,” said Dr. David Lovett, a Covenant dentist.
Dr. Lovett says the key to a healthy life starts with healthy teeth.
“Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day and floss once a day,” Dr. Lovett explained.
But not everyone can afford to take care of their teeth.
That’s why he says health forums like the one in Plainview is important.
Dr. Lovett is also involved in the Covenant Mobile Dental Clinic, which offers dental care to low income people around the South Plains.
“We try and provide full service dentistry on the mobile unit,” explained Dr. Lovett. “Our goal is to relieve pain and restore function.”
The forum is a collaboration between the Hale County Health Department and Covenant Health.
“Pretty neat way of having our physicians be much closer to the community,” said Dr. Sergio Lara, Medical Director for the Hale County Health Department.
Dr. Lara says the forums are different than just going to your doctor.
“This is intended to be more of an open type of conversation and in a smaller place in which people can ask the doctor any questions,” explained Dr. Lara.
And doctors hope the conversation continues from here to their families at home.
“I want it to light the spark of questioning asking do I have the same risk as my dad did of having this problem,” Dr. Lara explained. “Even if we reach one person, then that’s already objective met.”
