Vancouver — The Wells Fargo Foundation granted $5,000 to the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington to fund the children’s oral health program for a year. In 2015, low-income, uninsured children made more than 300 visits through the oral health program.
“Dental volunteers fill cavities and screen, seal and varnish children’s teeth,” the clinic said in a news release. “Without the support of the Free Clinic, many of these patients would not seek care until numerous cavities appeared or other illness related to oral health caused the use of the emergency room.”
The clinic provides services at the Jim Parlsey Center, Clark County schools and community events.
“Many of the kids we treat have tooth pain severe enough to keep them out of school,” says Program Manager Carolyn Noack. “We relieve their pain, give tips on preventive care and help them get back to the classroom. Our services also benefit parents, who no longer have to take time out from their jobs to search for affordable children’s dental care.”
The Free Clinic works with the Clark County Dental Society, the Clark College dental hygiene program and elementary schools around Clark County, the news release said.
