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MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Community Dental Center will officially reopen Saturday after being closed for more than two years due to lack of funds.

The Butler County Community Health Consortium, which was awarded a $650,000 grant in September to open the facility, will kick off the grand opening and the beginning of National Health Center Week Festival at 11 a.m. at the Middletown Community Health Center, 930 Ninth Ave.

Spokeswoman Ashley K. Wladysh said the dental center fills a gap in dental care for the uninsured and Medicaid-eligible patients.

"It's extremely important,'' Wladysh said of the new dental office. "Dental care is the No. 1 unmet health need in Ohio ... We are the only safety net in Butler County.''

Last September, a survey showed that only four of 96 dental offices in Butler County were accepting new Medicaid patients or uninsured patients, Wladysh said.

Dr. Robert C. Merkel, who recently sold his practice to operate the facility, said the Middletown dental center is a much needed service in area.

"Fees have gone up so much because of equipment, personnel and overhead costs, it makes it difficult for people without insurance to afford quality dental care,'' Merkel said.

Merkel said since he began working at the center in June, the phone in the dental office has been ringing off the hook.

"We're already going full speed.''

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com.