G-2108-17184

The Edward M Kennedy Community Health Center is an FQHC in central MA, that operates three medical clinics, two dental practices, two optometry sites, and six school-based health centers. The organization serves patients who are often low-income and English language learners.

This investment, through the Executive Director’s Fund, is to support bringing oral health services to the school-based health center at Worcester Technical High School as part of an initiative to increase access to dental services in Worcester public schools. Worcester is in need of providers and services, as the area has fewer oral health providers who accept MassHealth, and the lack of community water fluoridation. The focus of this project is to expand the scope of services available at the location by purchasing and setting up a portable dental cleaning unit and exam chair. A dental hygienist will rotate to this location to provide services. This model follows the existing programs at elementary schools in the service area, which have been used as models for other school-based programs. The program will engage school nurses, teachers, and other administrators in order to incorporate oral health education and programming throughout the school. Once up and running, the program will bring capacity to the school to add new education programs and will engage students in the design as well. The budget of $13,418 would go towards the portable dental chair and equipment for Worcester Technical high school.