The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $2.6 million in grants to seven members of the Health Center Partners of Southern California to help improve the center’s oral health care services.Clinicas de Salud Del Pueblo, Neighborhood Healthcare, North County Health Services, La Maestra Community Health Centers, San Diego American Indian Health Center, San Ysidro Health Center and Vista Community Clinic received a grant ranging from $350,000 to $525,000, HCP said Monday.
The grant will support the centers to not only help improve its oral health care offerings but also steer patients to Federally Qualified Health Centers where integrated preventive oral care can be administered.
Fernando Sañudo, Vista Community Clinic CEO, said that the grant will allow the clinics to offer mobile dental services to schools, local businesses and community events in Lake Elsinore, Riverside and north San Diego County.
The grants are a part of the HHS country-wide drive that has awarded $156 million to 420 health centers with funding managed by the the Health Resources and Service Administration.
The project has since helped treat 785,000 patients through the hire of 1,600 new dentists, dental hygienists, assistants and technicians.
