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Dental Director’s Report - Cockey
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Zion Dental Pediatric Outreach
The Zion clinic leadership team and Marketing and Communications staff met to discuss the development of an action plan to increase the number of unique pediatric dental patients seen at the Zion clinic. Data extracted from NextGen identified that 900+ pediatric patients were seen at Zion but did not have a dental visit. Six hundred of those children were identified as being from the local communities of Zion, Beach Park and Winthrop Harbor. A phone outreach effort was then implemented to see if those children were in need of a dental appointment.
There are now children only dental clinic days scheduled and confirmed for June, July and August. On those dates, we will also have a pediatric medical provider scheduled. This way children can get a physical examination as well as undergo the state required dental check-up. In all, 5 Saturday sessions will be conducted to focus care for pediatric patients.
Proposed HRSA Grant for North Chicago
We recently completed a dental grant application from HRSA and, if awarded the grant, would use the funding to enhance the dental suite at the North Chicago clinic. This would include a décor update as well as updating our equipment (dental chairs, x-ray units, dental sensors, mechanical equipment, etc.).
Grant Offering
The FY 2019 Oral Health Infrastructure (OHI) supplemental funding opportunity will support one-time physical and organizational infrastructure investments to provide new, or enhance existing, high quality, integrated oral health services in health centers. Examples of infrastructure investments include:
• Minor alterations and renovation
• Equipment purchases
• Training and consultation
• Health information technology
• Infrastructure investments that improve access, including telehealth and virtual dentistry
HRSA anticipates awarding approximately $76 million to support an estimated 250 OHI awards. Applicants may apply for up to $300,000.
Dental Specialist Providing Care for our Patients
A local endodontist, Dr. Paul Showers, is donating time to provide dental care at his office in Libertyville to our patients in need of endodontic services. He will provide pro-bono care to one patient per week.
We are working with an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, who will volunteer his services one Wednesday a month for 4 hours at the North Shore clinic. While he will provide a limited scope of services, they are greatly needed by our patients.
We welcome both of these providers. Specialty care for our patients is an issue as there are very few specialists in the area who accept Medicaid.
Dental Workforce
We are currently recruiting a dental provider and a dental assistant for our Northshore clinic.
Dental hygienist recruiting efforts are moving forward as we are in the process of selecting a finalist for the position.
Suggested Motion
None, for information only.