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Providing On-Site Dental Care at Homeless Navigation Center in Redwood City
The Dugoni School is now operating a two-chair dental clinic to serve interim housing clients of the County of San Mateo's Homeless Navigation Center in Redwood City, CA. It provides no-cost preventive, restorative dental care and specialty care by dental students under faculty supervision.
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On-Site Dental Care Now Available at Homeless Navigation Center
Redwood City 鈥� A permanent on-site dental clinic is now available five days a week to serve interim housing clients of the County of San Mateo's Homeless Navigation Center. the 240-unit facility, operated by LifeMoves, provides temporary housing, case management and access to the full range of health care, mental health and substance use services, social supports and other programs from the County and its partner agencies. Previously, dental care was available at the Navigation Center via weekly visits from San Mateo County Health's dental听听or by scheduling an appointment with a provider located elsewhere. Now, with the availability of on-site services during the week, accessing dental care at the Navigation Center is as easy as stepping into the courtyard.
The two-chair dental clinic is operated by the 91成人导航鈥檚 Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. It provides no-cost preventive, restorative dental care and specialty care, including exams, cleanings, fillings and emergency treatment, along with oral surgery, endodontia, and periodontia, by dental students under faculty supervision and with the aid of a registered dental assistant.
With a capacity for 2,500 visits annually, the program is expected to treat up to 800 individuals a year.
鈥淕ood oral health is inextricably linked to overall health and wellness. We are proud to partner with San Mateo County in this forward-looking approach to serving the health care needs of clients in the Navigation Center and look forward to this model being replicated in other counties and jurisdictions,鈥� said Dean & Vice Provost Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi of the Dugoni School.
鈥淎n important step toward reaching the County鈥檚 goals of for homelessness is making vital services easier to use,鈥� said County Executive Mike Callagy. 鈥淭he clinic at the Navigation Center brings dental care right to the clients鈥� doorstep.鈥�
With the addition of dental, the Navigation Center now houses two primary care facilities. A medical clinic, operated by Healthcare in Action, provides no-cost medical consultation and treatment to Navigation Center clients. A referral system allows clients entering one facility to be scheduled for treatment at the other, in addition to having access to other services and benefits, with the help of a case manager from LifeMoves.
鈥淭ogether, with our partners, we are pioneering new models to address homelessness, working to uplift our clients with whole-person support and resources, including all-encompassing and accessible healthcare,鈥� said LifeMoves CEO Aubrey Merriman. 鈥淎ddressing oral health not only improves quality of life but aids in overall health and builds on our clients鈥� resiliency and confidence so that they can move toward permanent housing and lasting independence.鈥�
Dental coverage is included as a Medi-Cal benefit in California. With preventive care, including regular cleanings, patients require fewer extractions and with a healthier mouth may see improvement in their quality of life. Studies have shown that the combination of health and dental coverage can result in a for dental visits. Regular preventive care can reduce overall dental costs compared to the treatment costs of patients with no preventive care, including for oral surgeries. There is even a .
The ability to provide on-site dental care at the Navigation Center is a result of the generosity and dedication of many community partners and funders and is overseen by San Mateo County Health.
鈥淲e remain grateful to our operating and funding partners for helping us make high-quality dental care so readily accessible,鈥� said County Executive Callagy.
Operating Partners
Funding Partners
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
The is proud to support programs that help vulnerable community members get stabilized so they can access safety-net services quickly and easily. With dental care now readily available at the Homeless Navigation Center, clients will be able to focus on a critical aspect of their health as they continue their journey toward safe and permanent housing,鈥� said Alma Pulido, program officer, Community Team.
Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital
鈥� is proud to partner with the Sequoia Healthcare District as a funding partner supporting critical dental care services at the Navigation Center. Dental care and other services provided at the center are vital for supporting housing security,鈥� said Bill Graham, president, Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital.
Health Plan of San Mateo
鈥淭he ability of residents to schedule and receive high-quality dental care from the clinicians at UOP is meeting a tremendous need and benefits the entire community,鈥� said Pat Curran, CEO, . 鈥淲e look forward to learning from this program as we continue to improve access to care for our members through HPSM Dental.鈥�
Kaiser Permanente
鈥淭丑颈蝉 grant will help increase access to dental services for some of the most vulnerable residents in our community" said Shasta Addessi, senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente鈥檚 San Mateo County service area. 鈥淥ral health is an important part of overall health, and we are proud to provide this support to San Mateo County to improve the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve.鈥�
Sequoia Health Care District
鈥淲e are proud to support the Navigation Center鈥檚 holistic approach to addressing their clients鈥� complex health needs, which is critical step toward their long-term stability and reintegration into the community,鈥� said Pamela Kurtzman, CEO,
