DENTAL INITIATIVE PROJECT

 

In early 2008, the Callaway County United Way and the Callaway County YMCA, along with many other community partners came together, through funding provided by the Missouri Foundation for Health, to conduct a comprehensive health assessment. The assessment earmarked eight priority issues of our community with Dental Health being one of the top concerns. Following community discussions of the assessment, a Dental Sub-Committee was formed to address the lack of dental care for the non-insured and underinsured individuals in our community.

Oral health is an issue of significant concern to many in Callaway County. The Dental Sub-Committee has been working toward a solution since 2008 and has made significant strides to rectify this situation. The Committee formed a partnership with the Family Health Center Dental Clinic in Columbia, Missouri to provide Callaway County adults with urgent dental care. Medicaid no longer funds dental services for adults in the state making this issue an even larger concern for our community.

The Dental Sub-Committee has established a voucher system. Low-income persons with urgent care dental needs can request a voucher toward their acute dental care costs. Individuals receiving care will be required to make a small payment after the voucher and discounts are applied.

The services provided through this project are only for acute cases and it is the Committee’s hope to eventually open a dental facility in Callaway County for those whose dental care needs are not currently met through existing dental practices. The Committee will actively be seeking other grants and donations to fund the urgent care program and the long-term goal of a federally qualified dental center.

Oral disease is an infectious, progressive disease that hurts everyone, from children to seniors in our community, and can lead to other health problems. Using the tools and technology available today, oral disease is almost 100% preventable. The next step is to provide the service and a facility for those that cannot afford it, as well as for those who exceed the service capacity of our existing dental practices.

The Callaway County United Way adopted the Dental Initiative as one of their Community Impact initiatives. The Board feels that this project will address a much needed service in our community and wishes to support the efforts of the Dental Sub-Committee.

Partners of this project:

Callaway County United Way, SERVE, Inc., Central Missouri Community Action, Callaway County YMCA, Family Health Center, Callaway County Health Department, Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging, Callaway County Commissioners, and the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

Along with the above mentioned partners working on the Dental Sub-Committee, community volunteers are assisting in the screening process and also providing transportation to the Family Dental Center. Also, clients will be given a FamilyWize Drug Discount Card, a service of the Callaway County United Way, to help pay for any medications prescribed as a result of their visit.
 

 

Last Updated:  08/16/2010