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Dr. LaJuan & Dr. Joseph Mountain | The Builders
BY KATIE MAHONEY | VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
“Community healthcare should be healthcare for all,” shares LaJuan. Her and her husband’s Joseph’s belief in this built a 17-year (and counting) career with Family First Health
Originally from New Orleans, Joseph always knew he wanted to wor in hea thcare ut it was a uan who eci e rst on dentistry. They attended dental school and residency to ether an e an see in emp oyment in the e connecting with Family First Health President and CEO Jenny Englerth. “I had lots of interviews, and LaJuan was pregnant. When I interviewed with Jenny she asked about where LaJuan would work,” shares Joseph. And for the last 17 years, they’ve worked side by side to build relationships in the community, and educate the community on the importance of comprehensive and preventative care.
In 2005, when LaJuan and Joseph started at Family First Health the ma ority o the patients came in to the o ce to obtain acute care only. The doctors immediately realized that they needed to develop connections, and relationships, to engage patients in comprehensive preventative dental care; not just acute care. “Patients come to us because they have a need, and trust us to take care of that need. I commend them for that – seeking healthcare is a necessity, but not always a comfortable necessity. Many of our patients don’t enjoy going to the dentist. They also don’t have many choices in providers due to their insurance type or ability to pay. Patients are extremely vulnerable when seeking care,” explains LaJuan. It’s important we respect them, we go above and beyond, so our patients don’t feel the need to seek care elsewhere.”
LaJuan and Joseph have built the practice, and the team, based on the culture of being patient centered, and provider driven. Patients present with their needs and the dentists figure out how to best meet their patients where they are supporting the patient in maintaining or achieving dental health.
- Joseph Mountain
This missional shift led to the development of the Mobile School Dentist Program to provide dental care to students as part of their school day. Conducting over 4,000 visits per year and touching six school districts, plus all York County Head Start programs, York Learning Center, and local preschool programs. The program prevents parents having to ta e o wor an chec their i s out o schoo . “It’s a true partnership with our school districts,” shares Joseph. “The school nurses and principals not only work to help the kids, they understand what families are experiencing at home. They see us a supplement to all they provide their students in school. The students are able to receive the recommended twice a year dental visits during their school day.”
In addition, there are four brick and mortar sites – York City, Hanover, Gettysburg, and Columbia. All combined, Joseph and LaJuan’s team of healthcare providers generate approximately 25,000 visits per year.
“Lots of longevity in our team,” shares Joseph. “They’re very passionate, and have been here many years. It was important to have the opportunity to practice in a way that aligns with our providers’ ethics. The patient’s needs direct and guide the care that is delivered. That’s our culture.”
As they look to the future, and consider the nee s o the community they n con ence an optimism in their team of dentist.
