North County dental services receive continued support with El Camino Healthcare District Grant
SAN JOSE – Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) has been awarded a $355,000 grant from the El Camino Healthcare District, which was recently accepted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The grant will allow more children, adults and seniors in the North County to receive preventative dental services and maintain oral health.
“Dental health plays an important role in overall health, and is often underrated or not fully understood,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who chairs the County’s Health and Hospital Committee, and whose District substantially overlaps with El Camino’s service area. “Too often folks who are strapped for cash will put off an important visit to the dentist — with really serious consequences. With affordable, sometime free, dental appointments available close to where they live or work, North County residents have easier access to preventative care.”
El Camino Healthcare District’s Community Benefit Program has provided annual grants to SCVH for 14 years to support medical, mental, and dental health services in North County. This year’s grant focuses on providing dental services for individuals living, working, or going to school in North County. Services include routine cleanings, increased education, early access and referral coordination for more serious dental needs.
“Regular dental care can be easy to put off in difficult times, yet it is so important for overall healthy nutrition, quality of life and self-esteem,” said George Ting, MD, Chair of the El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors. “The District is proud to support programs like this to improve health equity within Santa Clara County.”
In the fall of 2020, at Simitian’s urging and with support from the County’s Health and Hospital Committee, the County opened a dental clinic at 2486 W. El Camino Real in Mountain View to serve low income, uninsured and medically underserved North County residents. Mountain View Dentalcare is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic is equipped to provide pediatric, adult and pregnancy dentistry. Urgent dental services are also available.
“The Healthcare District has been a steadfast partner on health care and social services in the North County,” said Simitian. “Their continued support of our County’s services for underserved communities has real impact, and is greatly appreciated.”