Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Future Smiles representative describes school-based dental clinic and mobile services for CCSD students
Summary
A Future Smiles representative told the board the nonprofit operates the Women's Philanthropy Dental Wellness Center at Elaine Wynn Elementary, serving students districtwide with exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions, and a mobile unit; funding sources include Medicaid and local foundations.
A public commenter described services by Future Smiles, a local 501(c)(3) that provides school-based dental care to underserved students in the Clark County School District. The speaker said the organization operates at the Women’s Philanthropy Dental Wellness Center on the Elaine P. Wynn Elementary School campus and also offers a mobile unit for on-site services at other schools.
The speaker said Future Smiles was founded in February 2009 by three dental hygienists, that care is provided by a Nevada-licensed dentist (named in the comment as Dr. Erica Nieto), and that services mirror those available in a dental office — digital x-rays, cleanings, fillings and minor extractions. Funding sources listed included Medicaid coverage for roughly half of patients and support from philanthropy such as the Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation and the Engelstad Foundation. The speaker emphasized that about 50 percent of Future Smiles’ patients have Medicaid, with the other 50 percent being low-income and uninsured children supported by philanthropic funds.
The commenter urged parents to enroll eligible children in Medicaid to unlock medical, dental and vision services and said in-school access reduces barriers to care. The speaker also provided the organization’s website, futuresmiles.net, for additional information.
The remarks were delivered during the public-comment period and were informational; no board action was taken on the matter at the May 15 meeting.
