Island Health Care officially opened its new Dental Center in Edgartown on December 15, aiming to provide essential dental services to Islanders, including those from underserved communities. The clinic, located at One Mariner’s Way, will offer a range of services such as cleanings, fillings, and other dental procedures.
The center’s mission is clear: address the growing need for healthcare on the Island, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the unhoused, immigrants, and families who depend on insurance coverage.
Since its opening, the clinic has seen an overwhelming response, with a waitlist exceeding 1,200 patients—a number that continues to grow. Island Health Care officials are hopeful they will be able to contact all those on the current waitlist by mid-January.
“We’re here to serve anyone,” said Cynthia Mitchell, CEO of Island Health Care. “There is definitely a demand. People are really excited to have access to dental care again.”
The Dental Center currently accepts more than 26 health insurance plans and is taking steps toward expanding its services to provide more integrated healthcare across the Island, according to Mitchell.
Mitchell has been working on the project since 2021, following the closure of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s Dental Office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the need for dental care on the Island, Mitchell and her team secured initial funding, including a $500,000 grant from the Federal Health Center Program in 2021 and another $500,000 from MV Youth in 2022. Additional local support helped bring the center to life in 2024.
The center’s new facility, which spans over 10,000 square feet, was chosen for its central location and space, allowing room for future expansion of integrated healthcare services. The dental office itself is equipped with four dental chairs, an x-ray machine, and a sterilization area for instruments. Although they are still in the “soft-open” phase, officials hope to gradually increase patient appointments to address the growing demand.
“This dental center is just the first phase of a larger healthcare vision,” Mitchell explained. “Next, we plan to expand primary care services. Our goal is to offer fully integrated services for the community.”
The expansion plan is particularly focused on residents who rely on MassHealth and the Health Safety Net for healthcare coverage, programs that make the center’s mission possible, Mitchell said.
Dr. Aldino Maggiulli, the Dental Director, relocated to the Island from Maryland to join Island Health Care because he shares the organization’s vision. He is currently the only dentist on Martha’s Vineyard who accepts MassHealth Insurance.
In addition to its dental services, Island Health Care collaborates with the Island Grown Initiative to help address food insecurity among the Island’s residents. When patients express a need for food, the center is able to provide groceries or frozen meals.
“This is just one of the ways we go beyond traditional medical care,” Mitchell said. “We’re here to support our community in every way we can.”
