A Reason to Smile: Grant Expands Dental Care for Students
A $100,000 grant is helping CCPS students get dental care they might otherwise go without.
Provided by the Clark County Community Foundation, the funds will support CCPS Family Resource and Youth Services Centers in connecting students with more extensive dental needs.
The initiative builds on existing school-based dental services while creating new partnerships with local dental providers.
For some Clark County students, getting the dental care they need has been about more than finding a dentist. Transportation, cost, and access to specialized services have all created barriers for families.
While programs such as Big Smiles bring preventive dental services directly to schools, students sometimes need additional treatment that goes beyond cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.
Finding a local solution became a priority.
"We wanted to keep both the care and the funding in Clark County while making it easier for families to access the services their children need," said Ros Gay, Strode Station FRYSC coordinator. "We organized a luncheon, invited local dental providers, and that's how we met Pioneer."
Pioneer Pediatric Dentistry, led by Dr. Kirby Goodwine, has stepped up as a major partner, and now, thanks to the Community Foundation, will be able to serve even more students.
"Dr. Goodwin puts the kids first over everything," said Brittany Estes, office manager at Pioneer. "He wants to do anything he can do to help his community and the schools."
The partnership is already making a difference, helping numerous students who would not otherwise have access to convenient, professional dental care.
When students receive dental screenings through Big Smiles, the program provides information about their oral health, including any additional treatment that may be needed. With parent or guardian permission, FRYSC coordinators can then help connect families with Pioneer.
FRYSC coordinators provide Pioneer with the necessary referral information, and students can often be seen within days.
For families facing barriers to care, that hands-on assistance can make all the difference.
Halee Cunningham, vice president of development for the Bluegrass Community Foundation, said the grant grew out of a need identified by Gay, who serves on the Clark County Community Foundation board.
"Board members are encouraged to bring forward needs they see in their communities, and Ros raised concerns about the gap in dental health access for students across the district," Cunningham said.
Cunningham said the foundation wants FRYSC coordinators to have full discretion in determining how best to use the money to support students. That could mean paying for a dental procedure, covering transportation to an appointment, or addressing another expense that might otherwise prevent a child from getting care.
"We fully trust and have faith in the FRYSC coordinators and their knowledge of the families who need this assistance," Cunningham said.
She hopes the project will serve as a successful pilot, demonstrating what is possible when community organizations work together to address a need.
While the initial grant will remain available until the funds are spent, Cunningham said the foundation is open to extending the partnership and exploring additional opportunities to continue supporting students' dental health.
Ideally, the initiative will encourage more community partners to get involved and help bring additional funding to expand the effort in the future.
For Pioneer Pediatric Dentistry, the goal is to make sure children leave feeling happy and confident.
"A smile is everything to these kids," she said. "If they're not confident enough to smile, that's going to affect everything."
