Title
a. Accept a $1,235,630 Grant Award from the California Department of Public Health ("CDPH") for the Oral Health Program; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a Grant Agreement, No. 17-10708, with CDPH in support of the Oral Health Program, in the amount of $1,235,630, for the grant period January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept a $1,235,630 Grant Award from the California Department of Public Health ("CDPH") for the Oral Health Program; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a Grant Agreement, No. 17-10708, with CDPH in support of the Oral Health Program, in the amount of $1,235,630, for the grant period January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
From 1981 to 2008, Monterey County operated a Happy Teeth children's dental health program which educated school children and increased access to oral healthcare resources (Medi Cal/Denti-Cal). Happy Teeth provided services to low-income preschoolers and elementary students throughout Monterey County. Services included fluoride education handouts, classroom demonstrations on proper brushing, and educating teachers and involving families in healthy dental hygiene.
Despite these successes, no established Local Oral Health Program (LOHP) has been instituted in Monterey County. However, numerous efforts to improve the status of oral health continued. Salud Para la Gente now operates three school-based clinics in Monterey County at Alisal High School, North Monterey County High School, and Pajaro Middle School. In addition, in 2014, Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas provided 42,899 dental encounters at five clinic sites and one mobile clinic that serves primarily homeless communities (Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development 2014 Annual Utilization Data).
On September 27, 2017, Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) receiv...
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