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Oral Health and Nutrition Expansion and Enhancement

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In 2006, First 5 LA approved the $10 million Oral Health and Nutrition (OHN) Expansion and Enhancement Project to coordinate and build on other oral health and nutrition efforts for children ages of 0–5 through:
  • Access to direct services
  • Public education and outreach
  • Policy development and advocacy
OHN strategic partnerships include:
  1. Oral Health Needs Assessment and Provider Inventory
  2. First 5 LA/LA CARE Oral Health Partnership
First 5 LA/LA CARE Oral Health Partnership
From 2007-2008, First 5 LA and L.A. Care Health Plan joined in a partnership to award $2.1 million in grants to 16 clinics and community based agencies. First 5 LA contributed $681,841 (5 of the 16 agencies) to the initiative, which was administered by LA CARE, to reach a total of 12,320 children, parents and providers. L.A. Care subcontracts with agencies in the community to provide preventive dental services to help young children and their families maintain good oral health as they enter school and beyond. Types of services include:
  • Preventive services for children (including fluoride varnish programs for preschool age children) and education to parents;
  • Expanding access to direct dental services;
  • Provider training programs for pediatric dentists and allied health professionals.
Oral Health Needs Assessment and Provider Inventory
First 5 LA, The Annenberg Foundation, The California Wellness Foundation, and The California Endowment are jointly investing $710,000 in supporting an oral health needs assessment and provider survey to be conducted by the USC and UCLA Schools of Dentistry from April 2008-June 2009, to better understand the oral health status of children in L.A. County, focusing primarily in WIC and Head Start Centers. In addition to the needs assessment, there is also a provider survey to determine the location and type of services being provided by dentists in L.A. County.

Findings from the project will provide important information in developing programs and shaping policies to improve the oral health of children in our county.




Grantees/Services

Learn more about the First 5 LA/LA CARE Oral Health Partnership grantees and the services they provide:

  • Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH)

    Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH), is a community based organization for local public health planning and intervention in the Antelope Valley. It is our vision that all children and families in the Antelope Valley will have optimal psychological, physical and environmental health. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst that enhances community health wellness and quality of life in the Antelope Valley through the collaboration of local residents, agencies, faith based organizations and government entities.

  • California Dental Association Foundation

    Continuation of training for general practice dentists to be able to serve the pediatric population.

  • Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC)

    Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC) is a private non-profit, JCAHO accredited, community health center that provides comprehensive health services to the medically uninsured and underserved residents of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Programs and services include Dental, Pharmacy, Radiology, Women's Health and Prenatal Services, Pediatric Services, Immunizations, Case Management, Behavioral Health and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program.

  • South Central LA Regional Center

    Disseminate oral health information to parents of children in the Early Start Program, provide oral health screenings of infants and toddlers by USC, and provide referrals to community based dentists for needed treatment.

  • UCLA School of Dentistry

    Train bi-lingual Promotoras to provide caries prevention services, annual screenings, risk assessment, referrals, and assist with fluoride varnish & glass ionomer sealants to preschool children.