If Sacramento County kids can't get to the dentist, the dentist will go to the kids, thanks to a new grant.
The Dental Transformation Initiative - Local Dental Pilot Program has awarded $10 million to Sacramento County.
The traveling dentist is one of three pilot programs. One allows pediatricians to provide basic care, before referring a child to a dentist. The third gives under-served communities information to help them find a dentist.
Dr. Olivia Kasirye is the Sacramento County Health Officer.
"The data that we started off with showed utilization rates were about 20 percent for the Denti-Cal population," Kasirye says. "Over the time we've worked with the dental plans or the dentists, it's gone up to 40 percent."
Kasirye says she hopes to increase the percentage of people who receive dental care by five percent each year for the next two years.
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