SVMC Collects More Than 2,000 Pounds of Unwanted Drugs
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/ Categories: NEWS, 2021

SVMC Collects More Than 2,000 Pounds of Unwanted Drugs

Caption: Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette works with Security Guard Joshua Scheffler to empty the MedSafe box in the lobby of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

BENNINGTON, VT—December 3, 2021—In the 4 years since its installation in the main lobby of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, the MedSafe collection box has facilitated retrieval of 2,000 pounds of unwanted medications from homes and the street. The specialized box is available to the public 24 hours each day. 

The box looks like a mailbox, featuring a one-way medicine drop. It can be used to dispose of unused or expired controlled substances, non-controlled substances, and even over-the-counter medications.

Several features ensure security, including a double-locked front panel. Medications can be removed for disposal only when both a member of the Bennington Police Department and a member of the hospital staff are present. In addition, the box is monitored by video.

Disposing of unused and expired medications at a drug take-back location prevents the drugs from being abused or sold. In the past, people often flushed medications down a toilet or drain, which can cause pharmaceutical contamination of the water supply. In addition, the box is continuously monitored by video surveillance to prevent tampering.

The program was made possible through The Collaborative; Regional Prevention Partnership, a grant from the Vermont Department of Health; and cooperation from the Bennington Police Department, notably Chief of Police Paul J. Doucette and Lieutenant David Dutcher. Several community members also provide funding for MedSafe’s ongoing expenses.

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. SVMC ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index and is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from the Leapfrog Group. 

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559. 

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Why Dental Hygiene is More Important than Ever

You may have heard that COVID-19 has inspired physicians to offer online appointments. For many health concerns, you can meet with your physician using your phone or computer and get care that is very similar to what you would have received in the office.

Regular dental check-ups and treatments, though, certainly cannot be done remotely. And the masks patients wear to prevent passing germs in other in-person medical visits cannot be worn during a dental appointment. These factors make it difficult to deliver safe dental care during this time. In fact, most dentists' offices have been closed for much of the pandemic. They will likely remain closed until we determine how to provide care safely.

Taking good care of your teeth and gums at home contributes to good oral health and good general health, too. A strong oral-health routine can help lessen the need for extensive dental care and some other types of care in the future. For all of these reasons, your at-home dental care routine is more important than ever.

Brush Twice You've likely heard the same message since grade school: brush at least twice a day. Not much, including even a pandemic, will change that. Be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste, and aim to spend about 2 minutes to clean your whole mouth.

Doing so decreases the amount of bacteria in your mouth and limits the formation of plaque. Bacteria and plaque can build up and cause painful cavities. Skipping brushing can also lead to gum disease.

Clean Between Teeth Daily Whether you use floss, an interdental brush, an oral irrigator, or a toothpick, you should clean between your teeth every day. What method is best? Just like exercise, the best method is the one that you will consistently do.

Follow a Healthy Diet As if you needed another reason to avoid sugary beverages and snacks! The link between sugar intake and cavities is very well established. And treatments for cavities are among the most common that dentists perform. Avoiding sugar will improve your oral health and will likely make a positive impact on your overall health, as well.

These tips represent general recommendations that would be appropriate for most patients. Your dentist might have additional recommendations for you, including mouth rinses or other specific steps you can take to maintain your dental health during COVID-19 and beyond.

If you have questions, give your dentist’s office a call. Even if they are not right in the office, they will likely provide a way for you to reach out to get your questions answered.

Michael Brady, DDS, is the medical director of SVMC Dentistry.

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