News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 2, 2004
For more information, contact: Virginia Elliott, Senior Program Officer
800-369-7191 or velliott@healthfund.org

United Methodist Health Ministry Fund awards oral health grants

HUTCHINSON, KS—United Methodist Health Ministry Fund recently awarded three grants to fund oral health programs in the state.

The grants, totaling over $200,000, are part of the more than $1 million in grant funds for tooth decay prevention the Hutchinson-based philanthropy expects to award in 2004.

Douglas County Dental Clinic, Lawrence, was awarded $52,834 in grant funds, while Shawnee County Health Agency, Topeka, received $125,000, and Wheat State Manor, Whitewater, was awarded $43,275.

The Douglas County Dental Clinic will use its grant funds to expand the clinic, which was established with support of a grant from the Health Fund in 2001. The clinic provides dental care to people in need without the ability to pay. Last year the clinic served more than 2,600 patients. The need, however, continues to increase, according to Clinic Executive Director Jason Wesco.

The grant awarded to the Shawnee County Health Clinic supports nearly a quarter of the expenses of setting up and operating a new dental clinic over the next two years.

An informal survey of Shawnee County Health Agency clients last December revealed only 37 percent had a dental visit last year while more than half of those surveyed were in need of dental services. The primary reason given for not seeking dental care was cost. The new clinic will provide services on a sliding fee schedule according to ability to pay. The clinic will also be a Medicaid provider, which includes dental benefits for children in Kansas.

Wheat State Manor will establish a mobile dental hygienist service over the next three years for residents of area long-term care facilities with its grant funds. An estimated 600 patients are expected to receive services twice a year to improve the oral health status of elderly residents. Wheat State Manor plans to contract with long-term care facilities in Harvey County to extend the services of its dental hygienist.

The Health Ministry Fund was established in 1986 by the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church to advance health, healing, and wholeness throughout the state. Since 1998, the Hutchinson-based Health Fund has awarded 138 grants totaling more than $3.2 million to fund oral health prevention programs, including water fluoridation in nine Kansas communities.

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