Business Free Clinic’s children oral health program will benefit from $8,000
The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington has received an $8,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Northwest.
The grant will help fund an oral health program, that provides care for children from low-income and uninsured families.
The Free Clinic provides oral health services at its location at the Jim Parsley Center, 2901 Falk Road, Vancouver; and at Clark County schools and community-sponsored events. Dental volunteers fill cavities and screen, seal and varnish children’s teeth.
Without the support of the clinic, many of those patients would not seek care until numerous cavities appeared or an illness related to oral health led to a visit to the emergency room.
“Many of the children we treat have tooth pain severe enough to keep them out of school,” said Barbe West, executive director of the Free Clinic. “We relieve their pain, give tips on preventive care and help them get back to the classroom.”
The Free Clinic collaborates with elementary schools in Clark County, the Clark College dental hygiene program and the Clark County Dental Society.
