Thursday, May 11, 2006
School children in the Northern Kentucky who don't visit a dentist might soon have access to dental care.
At least that is the hope of medical professionals at Health Point Family Care in Newport.
The nonprofit health care organization announced Tuesday a $260,000 grant from the Stillson Foundation administered through Fifth Third Bank for a traveling van for provide dental care to children at area schools. Health Point had launched a fundraising campaign to raise an additional $260,000 to buy and equip the $500,000 mobile dentist office.
Many people in Kentucky do not get adequate dental care, said Chris Goddard, chief executive officer of Health Point.
Forty-seven percent of children in Northern Kentucky have early childhood cavities between the ages of 2 and 6, compared to 16 percent nationwide, according to the Kentucky Children's Oral Health Survey from the University of Kentucky.
"There was no way with the current Medicaid system that private dentists can see all the kids," Goddard said. "The reimbursement is so poor. They cannot afford to see too many."
The bus will hopefully fill that gap, Goddard said.
The van will go to schools in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, where 45 percent of the student population gets free and reduced lunches.
The dental care will be open to all students in the school. Goddard said he hopes to have the van ready by January or February.
At least that is the hope of medical professionals at Health Point Family Care in Newport.
The nonprofit health care organization announced Tuesday a $260,000 grant from the Stillson Foundation administered through Fifth Third Bank for a traveling van for provide dental care to children at area schools. Health Point had launched a fundraising campaign to raise an additional $260,000 to buy and equip the $500,000 mobile dentist office.
Many people in Kentucky do not get adequate dental care, said Chris Goddard, chief executive officer of Health Point.
Forty-seven percent of children in Northern Kentucky have early childhood cavities between the ages of 2 and 6, compared to 16 percent nationwide, according to the Kentucky Children's Oral Health Survey from the University of Kentucky.
"There was no way with the current Medicaid system that private dentists can see all the kids," Goddard said. "The reimbursement is so poor. They cannot afford to see too many."
The bus will hopefully fill that gap, Goddard said.
The van will go to schools in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, where 45 percent of the student population gets free and reduced lunches.
The dental care will be open to all students in the school. Goddard said he hopes to have the van ready by January or February.
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