Program funded: July 2015 – June 2016

The Verdant Health Commission began work in a new initiative during summer 2014: improving adults’ access to dental care.

With 1 in 3 adults in South Snohomish County lacking dental insurance, the need is great. Many adults who do not see a dentist regularly end up needing emergency care, which is a much greater cost to them and, in turn, our community.

A new partnership with Community Health Center of Snohomish County will bring increased levels of service to our residents who cannot afford to see a dentist or get preventive oral health care. CHC’s new facility in Edmonds opens in August 2014, and it will now include a dental clinic. CHC also offers dental services at its Lynnwood clinic.

At CHC’s clinic, staff dentists will treat patients and create ongoing treatment plans. CHC can serve patients with Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage, and uninsured patients can use the clinic’s sliding fee scale, based on income. Verdant’s support of the dental program will decrease the costs for these uninsured patients, who might otherwise not be able to afford treatment.

With support from Verdant, more patients will be able to get the dental care they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. The oral health of a person can affect, or be affected by, their overall health (see Mayo Clinic’s article: “Oral Health: A window to your overall health”). This is one of several adult dental programs Verdant is supporting as part of its dental initiative.

Visit the CHC website for more details.