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Welcome to Mascoma Community Health Center
Home to
Mascoma Community Health Dental Center
and
Mascoma HealthFirst Family Care Center
Mascoma Community Health Center is a community owned and operated, non-profit health center that meets health and dental needs.
°Located at the Corner of Route 4 and Roberts Road in Canaan, NH
°Easy Access – Route 4, but not high traffic - 5 miles east of Enfield and 2 miles west of Canaan
°Comprehensive Care – Health, Dental, Labs, and Education °In-Depth Care – More time with staff and more coordination
°Affordable Costs °Open to anyone – Families, Young, Old, Insured, Un-insured °Insured? We accept most major insurance °Uninsured? Our staff will help you to explore insurance options
°Local Control – Local accountability by Patient Orientated Board of Directors
Great News!
HealthFirst is now managing Mascoma Health Center on an on-going basis.
You will still see our traditional staff but there will be more staff and new Services.
- 5 Medical Providers
- Mental Health Counseling
- A Navigator to help people get affordable insurance
- A Social Worker to help people with needs that adversely impact health care
- Staff to register new patients
- Staff to make or change appointments
- Staff to make referrals
- Staff to renew prescriptions
- Staff to do labs
- Staff to coordinate care
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Two new dentists, a hygienist and dental assistant
Mascoma Community Healthcare, Inc. is working closely with HealthFirst to provide a full service dental practice with exceptional providers. Currently the practice has two dentists, a hygienist and a dental assistant. The practice is rapidly growing and plans to add two additional dentists, another hygienist and three additional dental assistants by year’s end.
The phone number is still 603-523-4343, but the calls are being answered by the HealthFirst system.
AND … Mascoma Health Center will now be a Federally Qualified Health Center with new federal funding!
Dental can be scheduled by calling 603-780-4242
New Dental Patient?
- Click here for New Dental Patient Registration Form to print and mail
- Click here for New Dental Patient Registration to submit Online by Email
New Medical Patient?
HealthFirst's Nature of Good Health Care
Mascoma Community Health Center offers several general practitioners who are teamed together to give every patient more depth in their care and coverage. The health care providers work as a team with other services of the clinic like lab services.
Medical care includes pediatrics, family practice, women’s health services, and education.
Medical care also includes a dentist and dental hygienists.
Medical care is coordinated with hospitals, specialists, local schools, daycares, senior programs, government programs, Veterans Administration, public housing and community assistance programs.
Assistance in getting insurance and maintaining insurance that is affordable is provided.
HealthFirst's Access to Good Health Care
Good health care is local. It serves the entire community and entire families. Care is a matter of choice. There are no requirements for use.
Appointments are readily available and happen in a timely manner. Evening appointments are available. Appointments will allow enough time with the professionals to truly understand and manage health problems.
All patients will have access to local hospitals and specialists as needed.
HealthFirst Assures Quality Control of Good Health Care
Good Health Care has built in quality control. We try hard to assure:
- an organized health team that integrates patient, doctor, nurse practitioner, lab services, rehab, social services, mental health counseling, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and dental care
- close communication between the patient, the providers and between providers
- that the team coordinates external services
- full communication with the patient regarding plans, procedures, results and revisions
- that the patient shares in the decision making with understanding, cooperation and agreement
- that there is sufficient time available for the communication and coordination
- independent quality control to review records and patient history to assure that the goals for communication, understanding, decision sharing and coordination with external services is achieved
- integration of team health care around a patient that include the doctor, lab services, rehab, social services, mental health counseling, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and dental care
Mascoma Community Health Dental Center Offers:
- Oral Evaluations
- Intraoral X-ray
- Panoramic X-Ray
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Cleanings
- Fluoride/ Varnish
- Sealants
- Scaling and root planning
- Gingivitis and Periodontal treatment
- Biopsy, Caries, Oral Cancer Screening
- TMJ
- Infection care
- Restorations (fillings)
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth Splinting
- Bone graft
- Dry mouth treatment
- Tooth extraction
- Inlays/Onlays
- Same Day Crowns
- Restore implants
- Bridges
- Dentures
- Cerec
- Invisalign
- Whitening
- Night and Sports Guards
- Sleep Apnea appliances
- Soon to be added:
- Dental Implants
- Surgical Periodontal surgery
- Impaction tooth removal
- Tooth reimplantation
Mascoma Community HealthFirst Family Care Center Offers:
- Primary Medical Care for all ages
- Family Practice
- Family Planning
- Pediatrics
- Sports Medicine
- Minor Orthopedics
- Geriatric Care
- Infants and Children
- Women's Health Care
- General Gynecology
- Minor Skin Procedures - Stitches, etc.
- Behavioral/Mental Health Care
- Preventive Health/ Screenings
- Care Coordination
- Nutrition Services
- Health Education and Community Outreach
Mascoma Community Health Center Dental Care Team
Dental Care is Managed by Mascoma Community Healthcare in partnership with HealthFirst
Dr. Thomas Duplinsky, DDS,
Fellow of the American College of Dentists (FACD)
On October 1, 2023, Mascoma Community Health Center happily re- opened its dental practice after an unexpected closing in 2022. With the rebirth of dental services, we have a great, new dental team and feel set for success with the leadership of Dr. Thomas Duplinsky, DDS, FACD, as our Director of Dental Services. Dr. Duplinsky, leads our dental team that is focused on delivering quality dental care in our Mascoma community. We are very lucky to have Dr. Duplinsky as Director of Dental Services.
Upon moving from Connecticut he could have quietly retired to his new home on Goose Pond. Instead, he is using his years of experience and caring to up-grade and expand dental care at the Center. In addition, he brings experience with commercial and non-profit health insurance and, with it, a commitment to providing our patients with sustainable, affordable, quality dental care.
Prior to moving to Canaan, Dr. Duplinsky had, since 1984, a dental practice in Hamden Connecticut. He was also on the dental faculty of the Yale-New Haven Medical Center as an attending doctor and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine. He is also on the Faculty of the Yale School of Public Health. In those positions, he was involved in NIH research and the training of new dentists in the practice of general dentistry and oral surgery. His interest in training the highest-quality dentists also included improving pediatric dental care and creating care that complimented cancer treatments and care for other special needs patients. Underlying his attention to dental practices and training was an emphasis on patient safety and infection control.
At Mascoma he continues a commitment to mentor and supervise high quality providers using the most modern dental technologies. He continues his passion to provide cutting-edge training to care for children, people with cancer and those with other medical conditions that make them high-risk dental patients. He is looking to expand our services by adding more staff and modern, specialized dental equipment, and by offering more dental services including oral surgery, Periodontics and Endodontics.
Dr. Duplinsky believes northern New England needs a dental residency program. He wants to further opportunities for the training of dental professionals, including dentists, hygienists and dental assistants, in our area.
In choosing Canaan as his new home, Dr. Duplinsky says: “I love the land and the lakes. A town like Canaan offers a standard of living that is so much more friendly, safe and supportive of family. We looked for several years before deciding on the Upper Valley and Canaan. Now I want to become part of my community.”
We welcome Dr. Duplinsky and his extraordinary experience and caring to our Medical Center.
Dr. Kristen Gallub, DDS
Dr. Kristen Gallub is excited to join the Mascoma Community Dental Center. Hailing from Long Island, NY, Dr. Gallub's passion for dentistry began when she advised her 3rd grade classmates on their dental needs. After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, she graduated from the prestigious Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC. Dr. Gallub further honed her skills completing a Yale New Haven Health residency. With strong communication skills and a gentle approach, she is committed to providing comprehensive care while building strong patient relationships. Continuing education allows her to stay abreast of the latest advancements in dentistry. She is committed to community dental care and becoming the best in her profession.
Dr. Morgan Ritchie 
Dr. Ritchie is a dedicated and passionate general dentist excited to start working at Mascoma Community Health Center! A Charlottesville, VA, native, she earned her DDS from University of Southern California and completed a General Practice Residency at University of Michigan. Dr. Ritchie is dedicated to providing top-tier dental care to patients of all ages. Her comprehensive approach ensures each patient receives personalized and effective treatment. Utilizing the latest dental technologies and techniques, Dr. Ritchie stays at the forefront of advancements in the field. Dr. Ritchie is committed to making high-quality dental care accessible to everyone in the community.
Chentel McGraw, RDH 
Chentel graduated from NHTI-Concord in 2021 as Vice President of her class. Prior to Chentel becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist, she was a Certified Dental Assistant focusing on general dentistry and periodontology. She has always had a great passion for dentistry, and this shows through her compassion and dedication to her patients.
In her spare time outside of the dental office, she enjoys being outside and spending time with her two children and husband. Chentel lives in the Upper Valley.
Mascoma Community Health Center Medical Care Team
Medical Care and Behavioral Health are Managed by HealthFirst
Ben Gardner, MD, Medical Director
Ben has been a doctor since 1996. He provides family medical care, pediatrics, sports medicine, and minor orthopedics. He serves as the school doctor for Cardigan Mountain School as well as the health center’s Medical Director. He previously served as a physician with Dartmouth College Student Health Services, and Assistant Medical Director at Phillips Exeter Academy. He served for 16 years as the Medical Director at Choate Rosemary Hall, supervising 19 medical staff serving 850 students and 32 athletic teams. He also served as an Assistant Professor and Clinical Instructor at Yale University. Ben received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Active in sports, he has coached lacrosse and hockey for the Upper Valley youths. Ben lives in Enfield.
“I'd be honored to welcome you and your family to HealthFirst Family Care Center Canaan, where you'll find a caring team of providers ready to get to know you.”
Isabel Watts, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC Family Nurse Practitioner
Isabel received her BSN and MSN from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. She completed a fellowship in community health and family medicine at Lamprey Health Care in Newmarket, NH. Isabel is passionate about preventative medicine and patient centered care. As a family nurse practitioner, Isabel enjoys taking care of patients across the lifespan, and supporting whole families in care decisions. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, spending time with her family and playing with her baby.
“I love nursing because it combines compassionate care with scientific thinking and problem-solving. I enjoy building collaborative relationships with patients and making them feel heard, believed, and supported.”
Board of Directors
The new Mascoma clinic is owned and operated by a non-profit corporation located in Canaan. The management of the corporation is by a Board of Directors. The Board sets budgets and fees, hires and fires, sets management policy and evaluates the effectiveness of the service.
The Board is organized to include a maximum of 25 members of which 51% must be patients of the health center.No one receiving compensation may be a voting member of the Board. In the future, nominees for new Directors will be selected by a committee of community members and existing Directors. Suggestions for Directors come from the patients in the communities. Terms for Board members will be two years and staggered.
There are committees reporting to the Board of Directors on various topics, and the committees are composed of Directors and community members who are not Directors.
All Board members, as well as employees, must follow very strict rules prohibiting conflicts of interest.
Board Members
Board Chairman: Sandra Hayden, Canaan
- Matthew Mackwood, MD, Canaan
- Sean Murphy, Canaan
- Denis Salvail, Canaan
- Louis Shelzi, Canaan
- Katie Silvius, Enfield
- Charles Townsend, Canaan
- Bill Warren, Enfield
- Karen Wolk, Canaan
- Mike Samson, Canaan - Ex Officio
