INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Preventative health care is not a priority for many of the disadvantaged population. Over 10,000 children fall within the category of disadvantaged in Indian River County. One such program that addresses this population is the Elementary School Dental Sealant Program.
Treasure Coast Community Health’s (TCCH) dental staff screen 2nd and 5th grade children from select Indian River County Title 1 Elementary Schools for dental sequelae or carries. Routine exams of children often reveal catastrophic dental sequelae or carries. Those children who qualify for this pro-bono service have dental sealants applied to their permanent molars.
TCCH partners with dental hygiene and dental assisting students from Indian River State College and Eastern Florida State College Dental programs to carry out this labor intensive program. TCCH and it’s staff (office staff, dental coordinator, dental hygienist, dental assistants and dentist) volunteer to man the two dental facilities on several different days, while students from the respective dental programs, under direction of a dentist, perform the procedure.
In addition, TCCH donates the materials, supplies and facility costs to accomplish this undertaking. Anywhere from 200 to 300 students receive this service annually with an estimated donation value at more than $25,000 to $37,500.
The children who present with dental sequelae or carries and need emergency or extra dental care are then referred to TCCH’s dental program for additional treatment. Our 2014 data indicates that more than 47 percent of the 2nd grade and 5th grade children present with decay evident. Again, many if not all of these children lack the needed dental care due to their uninsured status and/or familiar financial concerns, so these emergency or extra services are provided by TCCH at reduced or no cost.
Dental health is important for children. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
In existence for more than 20 years, TCCH is Indian River County’s first and only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and provides exceptional primary medical, dental and behavioral health services to nearly 16,000 residents a year.
TCCH began in the basement of the old Fellsmere School with the mission of providing needed and affordable medical services to under or non-insured migrant workers with one part-time doctor and a nurse. Today TCCH has grown to four facilities with dental facilities in both North and South Indian River County.
TCCH’s staff are highly credentialed community leaders and are supported by a culturally diverse team of qualified professionals. One of TCCH’s goals is to eliminate healthcare disparities for residents within Indian River County, so translation and sliding fee discounts are available for patients with limited income, embracing TCCH’s motto of “Your Health, Our Mission for ALL.”
For more information about Treasure Coast Community Health, a United Way Agency, please contact Vicki Soule, CEO, at (772) 571-1986, or by visiting TCCH’s website at www.tcchinc.org.