L.A. Care Grant Helps Kids Find a Dental Home
(San Fernando, Calif. – March 30, 2023) – To help increase access to dental care in underserved communities, L.A. Care Health Plan is granting $1.5 million to 15 facilities that can help. SFCHC will use its share of the funding to help kindergarten students receive important oral health screenings and find a dental home.
Researchers say poor oral health is a symbol of social inequity in the U.S. People are less likely to access dental care if they are low-income, uninsured or people of color. Poor oral health can contribute to a number of diseases, and might even be a sign of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
To help address this issue, L.A. Care launched an Oral Health Initiative to increase the number of dental professionals, enhance clinical infrastructure, and support early and long-term dental care for Medi-Cal members and other community members.
SFCHC will use up to $125,000 in funding to ensure kids receive dental screenings and begin a lifetime of oral healthcare management. This includes educating them on the importance of oral hygiene and good nutrition for strong and healthy teeth. A key goal is to establish a relationship of trust among the children and the dental professionals who care for them.
SFCHC integrates dental medicine into primary care and behavioral health to help create a healthier community.
About SFCHC
SFCHC has been a trusted, patient-centered medical home for the community since 1924. SFCHC’s designation as a federally qualified health center allows it to provide state-of-the art health care services, prevention and education regardless of an individual’s income, insurance status or ability to pay. Dedicated to providing quality care to every person, particularly the most vulnerable and underserved, SFCHC operates at two locations. Its main 17,100-square-foot facility in San Fernando provides primary, dental and behavioral health care, as well as case management and health education. Its additional 1,500-square-foot facility in Mission Hills is co-located with Harbor Recuperative Care Center (HRCC) that provides housing for homeless community members recently released from local acute care hospitals. For more information, visit www.sfchealthcenter.org.
About L.A. Care Health Plan
L.A. Care Health Plan serves more than 2.9 million members in Los Angeles County, making it the largest publicly operated health plan in the country. L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered™, L.A. Care Medicare Plus and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan, all dedicated to being accountable and responsive to members. As a public entity, L.A. Care’s mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's low-income communities, and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose. L.A. Care prioritizes quality, access and inclusion, elevating health care for all of L.A. County For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Media Contact
Stacy Geere at 661.253.1059 or stacy@thegeeregroup.com
