By Antjea Wolff

awolff@morningsun.net

FRONTENAC, Kan. — Countryside Dental and Wellness, formerly Countryside Dentistry, located at 1034 US-69, has added services and updated its interior.

Dr. Wylie Bell, and his wife and dental hygienist, Lisa, owners of Countryside Dental and Wellness, said they can now accept Medicaid, which they believe is an important step for the community.

“We are so elated that we are going to be able to offer state insurance for our patients,” Lisa said. “I grew up as a kid with no insurance at all in extreme poverty, so I have a heart for giving back to the community in a way that is needed. I believe it is important to promote for all providers to promote access to care in our community.”

In terms of services, Countryside is offering a variety of overall wellness options to coincide with dental care.

“Typically, when people come to me with problems with their dental health, there are other issues as well,” she said. “So, being able to expand into other avenues of care is very important to me.”

The couple have formed a partnership with Nutrition Lane because they believe that getting adequate nutrition is a big part of healthy teeth.

“Your health is all connected throughout your body,” Lisa said. "You're one whole person.”

Botox Therapy is another service added, which is used to treat Temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic migraines and headaches. Lisa said that she used to battle chronic migraines, and Botox therapy was the only treatment that consistently worked, she said. They are also providing aesthetic Botox injections as well.

Countryside is also assisting the Pittsburg State University Athletics Department to ensure the athletes have properly fitting mouthguards.

But this is just the start for the dental office that has been operating for more than 20 years.

The Bells are planning to construct a 6,000-square-foot building with retail spaces on the lot south of Countryside. They will also construct a 3,500-square-foot dental office with 9 operatories, or procedure rooms, behind their current facility, which has only six operatories. Once it is completed, they will repurpose their current building.

“We are extremely excited,” Lisa said. “We’re continuing to expand and need more help and it’s a blessing to be a trusted provider for people and to be that resource for people,” Lisa said. “I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have people who looked out for me when I needed resources, so I want to provide that opportunity for people in our community as well.”

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.