Dental Assistance

Oral health has a direct connection to overall health, problems in the mouth can effect other areas of the body. When harmful bacteria forms in the mouth, it is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory tracts. The World Health Organization and the Mayo Clinic reference multiple conditions that can be linked to declining oral health.
Oral infection that occurs due to inflammation attributed to abscesses, deteriorating teeth and lack of dental hygiene can contribute to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia and dementia. All of these conditions can lead to hospitalization and long recoveries. The potential costs of these other health issues to patients far exceeds the needed dental care.
We have had one individual that had been hospitalized twice due to needing his teeth pulled that had resulted in endocarditis. A home health nurse who knew about our program called us and we were able to get his teeth pulled and dentures made for him.
There are countless requests from the elderly who are suffering from abscessed and broken teeth. They are unable to pay for dental services based on their fixed income. Medicare does not pay for dental services. When the majority of our patients are notified that we have funding to obtain their much needed services, they become overwhelmed with emotion.
The school counselors tell Family Care Foundation that we are the only organization that will help the children with dental services. When a child has teeth problems they can concentrate and miss extra days in school.