Print this pageFor Immediate Release: 07/17/2008
Contact: Sharon Michael 360-923-2764
OLYMPIA - The state of
The 2008 Legislature earmarked the money to help community health clinics set up dental clinics, purchase dental equipment and supplies, and pay dental professionals. The one-time grants are expected to provide dental care for 11,163 new adult patients.
"We are pleased to be able to help community clinics provide badly-needed dental care to adults with dental health issues," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "Oral health is closely related to overall health, but many adults are without dental insurance and the means to pay the full cost of their dental care."
Grants ranging from $41,800 to $217,000 went to five clinics in Eastern Washington and seven in Western Washington.
A total of $858,200 was awarded to the following Eastern Washington clinics:
- Columbia Basin Health Association (Othello)
- Moses Lake Community Health Center (Moses Lake)
- Northeast Washington Health Programs (Chewelah)
- Yakima Neighborhood Health Centers (Yakima)
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (Yakima)
A total of $1,141,800 was awarded to the following Western Washington clinics:
- Cowlitz Family Health Center (Longview)
- Interfaith Community Health Center (Bellingham)
- International Community Health Services (Seattle)
- Puget Sound Neighborhood Health (Seattle)
- Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe (Tokeland)
- Seattle Indian Health Board (Seattle)
- Valley View Health Center (Chehalis)
Community Health Services (CHS), a program administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority, received 22 applications, including those from the award winners listed above. In addition to the $2 million in CHS awards, grant applicants reported plans to spend an additional $7,406,240 for adult dental care.
CHS will report to the Legislature in December 2008 on the award process, and submit a full report on the success of the grant program in June 2009.
