Public Health and Dental Health to Host Addiction Education Event

NORTH COVENTRY — Community Health & Dental Care will host an addiction education event on Tuesday, Oct. 29 to share information with the community about opioid substance abuse and addiction education.

The event will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at Community Health & Dental Care’s Coventry Mall, 351 W. Schuylkill Road in North Coventry Township.

This is the first time that CHDC has offered an additional educational event on opioid use disorder, according to Jenn O’Donnell, director of marketing and development. She said its goal is to educate people about opioid use disorder, signs of addiction and resources available at Community Health & Dental Care.

The event is open to anyone who wants to learn more about opioid use disorder and recovery paths, including for themselves, a family or friend, as well as organizations seeking resources for clients struggling with addiction, O’ said Donnell in an email response to questions.

Participants will hear from several public health and dental providers, including Dr. Vinuta Netaji, a board-certified addiction specialist; Darrell Dukes, Certified Restoration Specialist; and Brittany Nice, director of the Medication Assisted Treatment Center of Excellence

Registration for the event can be done by calling 610-326-9460 ext. 105 or by visiting https://ch-dc.org/event/addiction-education/

In 2016, the Department of Human Services named public health and dental care a Pennsylvania Center of Excellence, helping people recover from addiction and providing support to move forward. Community Health & Dental Care services are available to anyone who is currently or previously diagnosed with an opioid use disorder, the agency says.

Community Health & Dental Care uses internal and external resources and referrals to provide addiction treatment services, including medication-assisted treatment, medical services, and behavioral health referrals. Externally, he collaborates with organizations such as 12-Step Meetings and Sober Living.

In September, CHDC received a $600,000 federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that will allow the agency to expand its mental health and substance use disorder services throughout its service area.

Community Health & Dental Care’s service area includes southeastern Berks, western Montgomery and northern Chester counties. The agency provides medical, dental, obstetric, vision, orthopedics, physical therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), comprehensive behavioral health, nursing and case management, and operates health centers in North Coventry Township, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Washington Township, and Boyertown’s newest medical office.