Press Releases: Northwest
August 18, 2011
Kaiser Permanente Northwest Announces Oral Health Grants
PORTLAND, Ore. — Would you guess that clues to spotting the No. 1 killer of men and women in America can be found in the mouth? It’s true: Studies have shown a link between heart disease and oral health and that people with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Poor oral health has also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and premature birth weight. In children, physicians say poor oral health is often a sign of malnutrition.
That’s why Kaiser Permanente has made improving the oral health of our community a top priority. The 2011 Kaiser Permanente Northwest Oral Health Initiative has awarded multiyear funding to 10 community-based programs, all of them designed to create an immediate and lasting impact. This three-year commitment from Kaiser Permanente will total $1.2 million and impact an estimated 907,440 children and adults.
“The funding for these organizations reflects Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to the community in improving oral health as part of total health,” said John Snyder, DMD, dental director and CEO of Permanente Dental Associates.
Here are some examples of how the initiative will affect the community: The Virginia Garcia School Based Oral Health Initiative will use its $145,000 grant to bring dental care to young people at Forest Grove and Tigard high schools. Hygienists and dental assistants will provide onsite education, and four times a year dentists will apply fillings, crowns and other needed treatments from the Virginia Garcia mobile clinic van.
Another grant will solidify the oral health partnership between Kaiser Permanente and Portland Public Schools. This $150,000 grant will strengthen the PPS partnership with the Friends of Creston Dental Clinic, the only school-based, safety-net dental clinic in Multnomah County and one of the few dental clinics serving low-income children in Multnomah County.
Many of the young people served at these clinics have never been to a dentist, so their visits help them establish lifelong habits of sound oral health. That’s the goal for all 10 of the organizations receiving grants from the 2011 Oral Health Initiative.
About Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Kaiser Permanente Northwest is part of America’s leading integrated health care organization. Founded in 1945, the organization serves the health needs of more than 8.8 million people in nine states and the District of Columbia. More than 477,000 people in Oregon and Southwest Washington receive their health care from Kaiser Permanente. A nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
