A statewide non-profit organization is working to increase the number of Alabama children who get dental care and education.

Sarrell Dental will soon have eight offices across the state, including one in Talladega.

It was created in 2005 by its current CEO, Jeffrey Parker.

Parker said the organization caters specifically to people who are insured through Medicaid.

“We’re only here for one reason: 6 out of 10 kids in Alabama that have Medicaid don’t use it,” Parker said. “When you have more than 50 percent of the kids in this state not receiving dental care even though they have benefits or are eligible, that is certainly a problem. Our job is to fill that gap.”

The numbers Parker referred to were from the National Association of State Medicaid Directors. According to their study, 41 percent of Medicaid eligible children received dental services in 2007.

The outreach to Medicaid patients has been successful, with more than 55,000 patients being seen at Sarrell offices this year. That number was 20,000 more than in 2008.

Dr. Ruth Penton Smith has worked for Sarrell since 2007. She spends the majority of her days working out of the office at the Talladega County Health Department.

She said the work environment at their offices allows them to spend time with patients and give them high-quality care.

“One of the reasons I love working at Sarrell is we have a great quality of work and high standards,” Smith said. “The management and CEO have such great morals and ethics. I know that the patient is always number one.”

Autumn Green has two children, ages f5 and 8, who are insured through Medicaid. She said the Sarrell office in Talladega has made it convenient for her kids to get dental care.

“One time we had to go all the way to Gadsden to the dentist,” Green said. “It’s hard to find a dentist who accepts [Medicaid]. And when you find one, it’s like you’re not going in as fast as if you had other insurance.”

Parker said the practice first opened with four employees in 2005. It has now grown to 115 employees.

Sarrell has offices in Anniston, Bessemer, Boaz, Enterprise, Heflin and Leesburg as well. They are scheduled to open their Athens office in February.

Parker said they are the largest dental practice of any type, non-profit or otherwise, in Alabama.

“We don’t ask for money,” he said. “We are not asking for cash donations and we are not applying for grants. We are a self-sustaining non-profit, which is hard to find in this day and time. So we’re very proud of what we have done.”

Parker said he was also proud of something many businesses would be worried about, making less money per patient. According to Sarrell’s numbers, the revenue per patient visit has dropped from $328 in 2005 to $131 in 2009.

Brandi Parris, chief marketing officer for Sarrell, said the drop in cost-per-patient was due in large part to programs through schools.

“We go into the schools every year and provide free dental screenings,” Parris said. “We offer it to every child in school, whether they have Medicaid or not. That is a big service because a lot of parents don’t think of taking their young child to the dentist for preventive care.”

She also said more kids are coming in for regular visits instead of only coming in for emergencies.

“We also go into the schools and provide dental education to the children and to the parents at parent meetings,” Parris said. “I think it has really contributed to the lowering of revenue per patient. We have educated them, got them in and done all the restorative work. Now, we’re just getting them for preventative care.”