#United States #Los Angeles #DentaQuest #GeriSmiles #LA Trust

DentaQuest's Commitment to Children’s Oral Health

DentaQuest, a subsidiary of Sun Life U.S., has recently pledged $45,000 to enhance oral healthcare and education for children in California, especially in underserved areas. This initiative underscores the company's commitment to addressing inequalities in healthcare access and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to achieve optimal oral health.

Supporting Local Organizations

The donation is split between two nonprofit organizations: GeriSmiles Dental Health Foundation and The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health (The L.A. Trust). GeriSmiles will receive $30,000 to expand its reach with a Mobile Dental Hygiene Practice, bringing crucial dental care and nutritional education to students in various school districts across the greater Los Angeles area. Last year, GeriSmiles made a significant impact by serving over 60,000 students in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. This funding will allow them to extend services to additional high-need locations, including Blythe, Trona, and Needles.

The $15,000 donation to The L.A. Trust focuses on enhancing oral health education for parents and caregivers. By integrating nutrition and diabetes management into existing programs, the trust will pilot its updated educational sessions in eight elementary schools, primarily located in South Los Angeles. This inclusive approach ensures that families, including those with a large Spanish-speaking population, receive vital information free from prevalent myths about oral health.

Addressing Barriers to Care

DentaQuest's president of Dental, Sun Life U.S., David Healy, emphasized the importance of initiatives like these: “By supporting these local efforts, DentaQuest can extend oral health access beyond the members we serve through trusted community organizations that are best positioned to meet specific community needs.” This sentiment highlights the goal of removing common barriers to dental care, such as transportation challenges and language differences, fostering equity in health access.

Earlier in the year, DentaQuest demonstrated its commitment to improving oral health by donating $80,000 to various grassroots organizations across California. These funds are directed towards increasing access to oral health education and addressing the social determinants affecting health outcomes. Notably, The L.A. Trust received an additional $5,000 in recognition of Executive Director Maryjane Puffer's achievements as a DentaQuest Health Access Hero. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to combat the health workforce shortage while improving the overall dental care landscape in underserved regions.

Impacting the Future of Dental Care

DentaQuest’s recent awards of dental managed care contracts in Los Angeles and Sacramento will further exemplify their role in improving access to dental care for nearly half a million Californians. This strategic initiative aims not only to increase immediate care access but also to support the educational needs of future dental providers in California.

About DentaQuest:
DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S. Dental, dedicates itself to improving oral health through innovative, outcome-oriented solutions. The company embraces a Preventistry® approach, prioritizing preventive care and fostering relationships across the healthcare ecosystem to deliver inclusive and quality dental benefits. With a reach of approximately 35 million people across the U.S., DentaQuest is committed to adding value to employers, individuals, health plans, and government-sponsored dental programs while managing the largest Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits administration in the country.

For more information about their efforts and services, visit Sun Life U.S. Dental or DentaQuest.

Conclusion

DentaQuest’s investments highlight the critical importance of community-driven healthcare initiatives, especially for vulnerable populations. Their commitment to expanding services starts today and sets the foundation for a healthier future for California's children.