Healthy Kids Outreach Program Rural Dental Initiative Receives $124,000 from Ford Family Foundation
The Healthy Kids Outreach Program (HKOP) of the Mercy Foundation, Roseburg, OR, was recently awarded a grant of $124,000 from the Ford Family Foundation in support of continued dental hygiene and education for students in Douglas County.
“This grant will continue to expand our dental services for local children,” said Lisa Platt, president, Mercy Foundation. “We are so grateful for the Ford Family’s support and continued investment in the dental health needs of community children.”
HKOP was established by Mercy Foundation to help improve the health and well-being of children throughout Douglas County. One program focuses on improving dental health by providing dental assessments and preventive treatments, dental hygiene education and connections to care at schools throughout the county. Some of the children seen at the clinics have never owned a toothbrush or been to a dentist.
School site clinics are staffed by hygienists and provide full screenings, fluoride varnish and sealants to untreated, erupted molars. Each student receives an oral hygiene kit. If a child has an urgent dental need, the foundation helps their families get connected for an appointment with one 16 participating dentists.
“This grant will continue to expand our dental services for local children. We are so grateful for the Ford Family’s support and continued investment in the dental health needs of community children.
”- Lisa Platt, president, Mercy Foundation
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