TENN. DENTAL CARE PROVIDERS RECEIVE $203,300 IN SAFETY NET FUNDS - US Fed News Service, Including US State News

The Tennessee Department of Health issued the following news release:

Seven Tennessee health care providers have been awarded a total of $203,300 in Safety Net funding to provide emergency dental services for uninsured adults. The funding provision is a continuance of Governor Phil Bredesen's efforts to strengthen the state's health care Safety Net and makes primary care services more accessible to uninsured Tennesseans.

'The State of Tennessee is committed to making basic health care services available to its citizens and establishing a network of resources to serve those who do not have insurance,' said Bredesen. 'I'm pleased the State and General Assembly continue to work together to provide these important investments.'

'There is such a need for these emergency dental services in the Kingsport area and throughout Tennessee, and I am proud to support this effort to provide such services to the uninsured,' said Rep. Nathan Vaughn, District 2.

'I am pleased to help Tennessee's uninsured citizens gain access to these critical health services by supporting the work of these wonderful organizations, which provide an indispensable service to the people of our state,' said Rep. Joe Armstrong, District 15.

'This funding will help ensure that uninsured citizens of Sevier County and other communities in our state have access to emergency dental care,' said Rep. Richard Montgomery, District 12.

'These services will allow individuals without insurance to get treatment for dental emergencies, which can impact their overall health, and I am glad to help secure funding for these health care providers,' said Sen. Thelma Harper, District 19.

Safety Net emergency adult dental grant recipients and award amounts are as follows:

RECIPIENT : AMOUNT

Friends in Need Health Center, Inc., Kingsport : $26,000

Healing Hands Health Center, Bristol : $25,500

Interfaith Dental Clinic, Nashville : $54,000

Interfaith Health Clinic, Knoxville : $14,300

Keystone Dental Care, Inc., Johnson City : $56,300

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Inc., Sevierville : $22,700

Volunteer Ministry Center, Knoxville : $4,500

Friends in Need Health Center provides primary as well as dental care and offers services on a sliding fee scale for patients from Hawkins and Sullivan Counties. Healing Hands Health Center provides free medical, dental, podiatry, chiropractic and eye care along with counseling services to uninsured people who live in the greater Bristol area. Interfaith Dental Clinic of Nashville provides comprehensive dental care to uninsured, low-income working people and their children. Interfaith Health Clinic in Knoxville provides primary, eye and mental health care along with dental services for working, uninsured patients. Keystone Dental Care is a nonprofit regional clinic staffed by volunteer health care providers including both area dentists and dental hygiene students and faculty from East Tennessee State University. Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic provides primary services including general medicine, pediatric care, behavioral health therapy and dental care to uninsured patients who live or work in Sevier County. Volunteer Ministry Center offers The People's Clinic to provide medical and dental care to homeless and low-income patients in the Knoxville area.

'Science shows dental health contributes to overall health, so it is important for uninsured patients to have a place to seek care for dental emergencies,' said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. 'We are pleased to support our community partners in providing these services to those who might otherwise go without treatment they need.'

In 2005, the most recent year for which data are available, adults in Tennessee made approximately 60,000 visits to hospital emergency departments for dental-related problems. The Safety Net emergency dental grants will provide services for individuals age 19 through 64 with severe dental conditions that could place the individual's health in jeopardy, seriously impair bodily functions or organs, or are necessary for the patient to receive other essential medical treatment. Services are designated for individuals who are uninsured and lack financial resources to secure dental care.

Oral health is an important component of overall health. Researchers have found that periodontitis, the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss, is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies.

The Tennessee Department of Health provides a variety of oral health services. For more information, visit the Department's Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/oralhealth/index.html.