Early access to dental care is important for overall health. Dental cleanings can prevent the need for more costly services. WFC’s Healthy Teeth, Healthy Smiles program offers dental assessments, cleanings, x-rays, and education. Referrals to treatment to dental partners are provided, as needed. All services are free for those who are uninsured and very low-income.
HEALTHY TEETH, HEALTHY SMILES
History of Dental Program
WFC has provided dental services since 2004. During this time, Dr. Kolzet, DDS, a local retired endodontist, oversaw our dental program and created community partnerships to serve the dental treatment needs of our patients. Medical clinic patients who presented with dental needs received a full dental assessment. Dr. Kolzet created a partnership with one of his former dental students at a local dental office that allowed him to use their facilities and equipment, when they were closed, to provide dental treatment including root canals, and fillings. Sadly, Dr. Kolzet passed away in 2013. His passing has left a great hole in our program, but we have continued our efforts through assessments and referrals by local dentists volunteering at Westminster Free Clinic. The need for dental services was clearly evident when more than 2,000 individuals lined up at dawn for CDA Cares Ventura to obtain free, volunteer-based dental services over the course of a weekend. CDA partnered with WFC to provide treatment to 187 of our pre-screened clients (pre-screened by 5 of our volunteer dentists). Westminster Free Clinic transported our 187 patients in 5 rented school buses to the event. One mother with abscesses received 3 root canals; another patient had 17 teeth pulled because he did not have access to care early enough. The dental services our patient families received were life changing for them.
In 2015, WFC created a partnership with the VC Public Health Department to offer free dental fluoride varnish treatments for children’s teeth at our clinic. Over 1000 children have been served so far. WFC was selected by Americares to provide oral health education to 200 different low-income patients in a one-on-one oral format that included a dental home care kit and a reference book in Spanish for each individual. Since then, the Delta Dental Foundation has supported our efforts offering early access to dental cleanings and treatment each year as well as adult education. We also partner with VC Department of Public Health, United Way of Ventura County and The Colgate Foundation Bright Smiles Bright Futures Program to offer dental education, preventive fluoride varnish and pediatric dental screenings for hundreds of children at WFC each year. WFC is currently expanding its dental program to the Oxnard Plain and surrounding areas and more volunteer dentists are needed.
Where we are today
WFC’s current dental program serves an average of 400 patients a year.
Dr. Aaron Choroomi, DDS, whose private office is in Agoura Hills, has served as WFC’s volunteer dental director since 2014. Uninsured patients who present with dental needs can receive free cleanings, fillings, and teeth extractions. Root canals and other dental needs are offered on a sliding fee scale by his dental office. Westminster pays for the dental supplies needed for each patient and the dentist donates the time of he and his team.
What we need
1) Funding for disposable dental supplies to serve patients
2) Volunteer dentists to provide free treatment at their offices (at least once a month)
3) Volunteer dentists and hygienists to provide cleanings and x-rays at our dental office
