PRAIRIESTAR HEALTH CENTER
PrairieStar Health Center has been awarded a $600,000 challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation to support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art dental clinic. The facility will span 14,900 square feet and will significantly increase access to dental care for rural residents in the region.
Bridging the Gap in Access to Dental Care
To be constructed on PrairieStar’s existing property, just to the west of its current facility, the new dental clinic will house 14 new dental suites, one of which will be fully accessible for patients in wheelchairs.
“This project will not only increase access to care, it will strengthen our most cherished commitments: our dental outreach program for children, seniors in nursing homes and individuals with developmental disabilities,” said PrairieStar CEO, Bryant Anderson.
The new dental space will allow PrairieStar to grow its dental in-reach and outreach services, opening the door for over 2,000 more patients to have access to dental care each year.
“Our dental teams care for children in our schools who struggle to learn because of constant mouth pain. They see seniors in our nursing homes, who long for something as basic and dignifying as clean teeth and provide outreach to individuals with disabilities who depend on a steady, caring hand. These are the people who inspire us, who remind us why our work matters so deeply,” PrairieStar Dental Director, Yen Nguyen, DMD said.
Engaging the Community in the Challenge
The Mabee Foundation challenge grant requires PrairieStar to raise $676,300 (the challenge) from donors by January 13, 2027, in order to receive $600,000 (the challenge grant). If PrairieStar is unable to raise all the matching funds by the fundraising deadline, it will not receive any of the challenge grant funds.
“PrairieStar appreciates the Mabee Foundation’s opportunity to engage the community in this challenge and we are incredibly thankful to those who will step forward and help us meet the challenge,” Anderson said. “Together, we can bridge the gap in rural dental care and change lives, one smile at a time.”
How to Donate
PrairieStar is currently looking for donors interested in making a difference in their community by helping bridge the gap in access to rural dental care. To donate or learn more about the project, visit pshcks.org/bridgingthegap or contact Bryant Anderson at (620) 663-8484.
About the Mabee Foundation
John and Lottie Mabee were hard workers, innovative entrepreneurs and shrewd investors. They formed the Mabee Foundation in 1948 to share their financial blessings with others and later created the foundation ‘challenge’ grants. The Mabee’s crafted the challenge grants in such a way as to both require and inspire widespread public support. To learn more about the Mabee foundation, visit their website at: mabeefoundation.com