Sheela Tummala, DDS, MPH, Receives National Outstanding Clinician Award

MIDDLETOWN, Conn., September 16, 2018: Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) Chief Dental Officer Sheela Tummala, DDS, MPH, was presented with the Outstanding Clinician Award at the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) annual conference. Dr. Tummala was recognized for her exceptional work as a practicing dentist, her advocacy for her patients, her commitment to research and her service as an educator.

Dr. Tummala joined CHC in 2006 as an onsite dental director before becoming Chief Dental Officer in 2015. She serves as the Dental Quality Improvement Chairman at CHC, and has an active role in many committees and service events, including an ongoing commitment to veterans and the homeless. As Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Tummala oversees all dental operations at CHC, including 14 main clinical sites and nearly 150 school-based health centers, and a team of over 80 dental providers, hygienists, dental assistants, and staff. She also graduated this month from the National Oral Health Learning Institute.

“We are so proud of the work that Dr. Tummala has done here at CHC and in the larger community,” said Margaret Flinter, Senior Vice President and Clinical Director at CHC. “She is an outstanding clinician and tireless advocate for her patients. She could not be more deserving of this award.”

NNOHA is a membership organization of safety-net oral health practitioners that focuses on improving the oral health of underserved populations through leadership, advocacy and support of practitioners. NNOHA is a leader in strengthening and supporting the oral health safety net. Their commitment to integrating oral health with primary care reflects CHC’s mission to bring high quality medical, dental and behavioral health services to underserved populations.