Health First CEO Lisa Jones discusses Swansea dental outreach initiative

The Swansea School Committee convened on March 10, 2025, to discuss various initiatives aimed at enhancing student health and well-being, with a particular focus on dental care services. The meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Lisa Jones, CEO of Health First Family Care Center, who outlined the organization's commitment to providing accessible healthcare to local families.

Dr. Jones introduced the Healthy Smiles Dental Outreach Program, which has been successfully implemented in Fall River schools for the past 20 years. This program sends dental professionals directly into schools to offer cleanings, oral health exams, and education to students from preschool through middle school. Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of this initiative, particularly for children enrolled in MassHealth, who often face challenges in accessing dental care outside of school.

In addition to dental services, Dr. Jones highlighted the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides nutrition assistance and education. She noted that only 65% of eligible Swansea residents are currently utilizing WIC services, indicating a significant opportunity for outreach and support.

The committee discussed the potential expansion of the Healthy Smiles program into Swansea schools, with plans to accommodate up to 10 children in a four-hour period. Dr. Jones mentioned the need for effective communication with parents regarding consent forms and medical history, suggesting a shift to using Google Docs for this purpose.

The meeting concluded with positive remarks from committee members, who expressed their support for the proposed partnership with Health First. The committee looks forward to further collaboration to enhance health services for Swansea students, with the aim of implementing the program in the upcoming school year.