NEWS RELEASE
BAY MILLS INDIAN COMMUNITY
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BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Indian Community will partner with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes to provide space for dental services to enlisted local Coast Guard members.
In 2024, BMIC opened the Mitigoons Clinic in Sault Ste. Marie. Since that time, the tribe has been working to fully staff the facility, but has faced difficulties recruiting dentists to the area. This difficulty means two of the dental chairs in the clinic have sat vacant. As dental care faces a long waiting list in the U.P., the Coast Guard has faced issues acquiring dental care for their members as well.
“They will bring in their supplies, a dentist, hygienist and assistant to allow their service members to get dental care. There is no one in a large geographic area they can send them to for dental services so we are helping to fulfill a need,” said BMIC Health Director Lucy DeWildt. “We will still be able to allow our staff to work in the same location, simultaneously. There are four operatories inside Mitigoons, so we will use two and they will use the other two.”
The two organizations held a signing ceremony earlier this month to recognize their partnership.
“Bay Mills has always been committed to serving our community, and that includes those who serve us. By partnering with the U.S. Coast Guard, we’re ensuring their members have access to essential dental care while making good use of our clinic space. This is a win-win for both our community and the Coast Guard, and we’re proud to help fill this critical need,” said Whitney Gravelle, BMIC president.
Sector Northern Great Lakes has 150 members in the area. The services through Bay Mills’ clinic would only be to the local service members with the target of the local 150 annual exams and cleanings. The Coast Guard anticipates using the dental space approximately five weeks per year.
“Our clinic is working through an enormous waiting list of patients, due to both COVID and the retirement of local dentists. This agreement allows their members to get services in space we are not able to use at this time," added DeWildt.
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