April 19, 2010

(NEW CASTLE, PA) -- Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) joined with dozens of local health care providers, patients, and community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Primary Health Network’s newly expanded New Castle Dental Center. With the help of $238,700 in funding it received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the New Castle Dental Center was recently able to move into a newly renovated, larger facility where it will be able to serve twice as many patients. Congressman Altmire helped to pass the Recovery Act, which is also known as the Stimulus Bill, last year.

“This new facility is a perfect example of how the Recovery Act is making a difference in Lawrence County,” Altmire said. “In the short term, the Recovery Act funding the New Castle Dental Center received helped to provide work for 15 local contractors who were hired to renovate this new facility. And in the long term, the facility will help the New Castle Dental Center provide quality health care to a greater number of local residents.”

The New Castle Dental Center’s old building, located at 1112 S. Mill Street in New Castle, was overcrowded and only afforded space for four operatories. Its new facility -- located in Fox Chase Plaza at 2807 Wilmington Road in New Castle -- is three times as large and can accommodate nine operatories. This enlarged space will help the Center reduce its current patient backlog and accommodate new patients more quickly. The New Castle Dental Center also plans to hire one or two more dentists, as well as one or two additional support staff.

“Without Recovery Act funding, the New Castle Dental Center could not have moved into this new facility,” Jack Laeng, CEO of Primary Health Network, said. “Now, we will be able to offer quality dental care to twice as many patients as before. I want to thank Congressman Altmire for supporting the Recovery Act and helping to provide us with the resources we needed to expand our services.”

The New Castle Dental Center offers a full-range of dental services to more than 3,000 local families each year.