In order to provide an opportunity to poor to have an access to dental care, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced an award of $1.75 million to five health centers in Oregon.
The grant is part of the $470 million that has been forwarded to clinics across the nation with an objective to improve oral health care for people who depend on federally funded health centers. In addition, Burwell has also announced $1.4 million in funding to support four health centers in Virginia.
The funding to health centers across the nation would expand the oral health care services and increase the number of patients being served. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded, the health centers across the nation will increase their oral health service capacity by hiring around 1,600 new dentists, dental hygienists, assistants, helpers and technicians.
It is very important to have proper access of dental check-up as the absence of routine dental care especially for underserved populations could result into dental conditions that might require more costly emergency dental treatment.
HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae said, “HRSA will continue to explore ways to further integrate oral health services within primary care settings, and increase awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health”.
Currently, there are around 1,400 health centers at approximately 9,800 service delivery sites in every US state, DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Basin.
According to a report in Miami Herald by Daniel Chang, “The Obama administration this week announced nearly $10 million in grants for Florida health centers and organizations to expand oral health services and reduce the number of uninsured children in the state. Among the grant recipients were four Miami-Dade centers, which received $350,000 each, including Borinquen Health Care Center, Community Health South Florida, Jessie Trice Community Health Center and Miami Beach Community Health Center.
A report published in the Oregon Live News said, “The federal government announced Thursday it is awarding $1.75 million to five health centers in Oregon to give the poor greater access to dental care. Department of Health and Human Services is part of $470 million awarded to clinics nationwide to improve oral health care to patients who rely on federally funded health centers.”
“Oral health is an important part of our overall physical health and well-being,” Sylvia Burwell, Health and Human Services secretary, said in a statement.
