Burns: $242,000 grant allows Hyndman Health to bring dental services to underserved, uninsured
‘Frank’s been a big help in helping us get the money we need to succeed in Johnstown’
Rep. Frank Burns August 27, 2025 | 9:53 AM
EBENSBURG, Aug. 27 – Equipment to outfit six to eight new dental services suites is being purchased via a $242,000 grant state Rep. Frank Burns helped obtain for Hyndman Area Health Center.
Dr. Brian Stratta, CEO and chief medical officer for the health center, said the grant is paving the way for it to add dental services to the medical services it already provides in Johnstown – where over 50 percent of its clientele consists of Medicaid and uninsured patients.
“We’re looking at trying to buy a building, and build a brand new series of six to eight dental suites to serve the community – including the underserved and uninsured community,” Stratta said. “That grant money will go toward buying all the equipment, the dental chairs, anything that goes into the dental ‘operatories,’ to provide services like dental cleanings, fillings, root canals, denture fittings.
“Dental equipment is not cheap. An operatory is maybe $8,000 (to equip). I think the dental need (in Johnstown) is so large right now that that’s the primary focus (for this grant).”
Stratta said that once the building is secured to house Hyndman’s “brand new dental wing,” after renovations, “We’re hoping that within 9 to 12 months, we’ll have that up and running.”
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“Frank and I go back a couple of years. He’s always been very helpful in terms of trying to understand what we’re trying to do. I’ve always felt that Frank’s been a big help in helping us get the money we need to succeed in Johnstown.” – Dr. Brian Stratta, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Hyndman Area Heath Center.
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Stratta said this is the latest example of Burns being attentive to Hyndman Health’s desire to improve health care for the community.
“Frank and I go back a couple of years. He’s always been very helpful in terms of trying to understand what we’re trying to do,” Stratta said. “I’ve always felt that he’s been a big help in helping us get the money we need to succeed in Johnstown. I’ve had a good relationship with Frank.”
Burns said he’s always cultivating such relationships in his district because that makes him attuned to the needs of the community and sharpens his focus on ways in which he can deliver to make projects succeed.
“Hyndman Health already provides vital medical services to Johnstown’s low-income community, so it’s a logical progression that they seek to branch out to provide dental services, too,” Burns said. “Like Dr. Stratta said, ‘Dental equipment is not cheap.’ This grant will cover that cost, allowing Hyndman to open its dental services wing – and making the community the big winner.”