Twenty-eight community health centers in 14 states and Puerto Rico will share $51 million in federal awards to improve dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on September 23. The conditions include autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities.
Each center can receive up to $2 million to test and expand tailored dental services. California has the most recipients, with eight.
For many parents, the problem is familiar. HHS acknowledged that families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders can face significant challenges finding dental care that meets their child's needs.
Which Health Centers Received Awards
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published the full list of award recipients, with total awards of $51,004,210.
In California, the recipients are Center for Family Health & Education in Panorama City, the County of Ventura, La Clínica de La Raza in Oakland, Mission Area Health Associates in San Francisco, Neighborhood Healthcare in Escondido, Pediatric and Family Medical Foundation and Via Care Community Health Center in Los Angeles, and The Children's Clinic in Long Beach.
Colorado has three recipients: Metro Community Provider Network in Wheat Ridge, Salud Family Health in Fort Lupton, and the Regents of the University of Colorado in Aurora. Missouri also has three: Compass Health in Clinton, East Central Missouri Behavioral Health Services in Mexico, and Preferred Family Healthcare in Kirksville.
Florida's recipients are Premier Community Healthcare Group in Dade City and Tampa Family Health Centers in Tampa. In Massachusetts, the awards went to Greater New Bedford Community Health Center and Lowell Community Health Center.
The remaining recipients are the Mobile County Board of Health in Mobile, Alabama; The Family Health Centers of Georgia in Atlanta; Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque, Iowa; Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Pittsburg; G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center in Canton, Mississippi; Mountain Community Health Partnership in Bakersville, North Carolina; Neighborhood Health Center in Portland, Oregon; Migrant Health Center Western Region in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; Capital Area Health Network in Richmond, Virginia; and Family Health Center of Marshfield in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
HRSA has not published individual award amounts for each center.
Barriers That Keep Children From Getting Dental Care
HHS said some children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience sensory sensitivities, anxiety, mobility challenges, or other factors that make routine dental visits harder. These children can also face a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which makes regular preventive care especially important.
"A parent shouldn't have to struggle to find a dental provider who is prepared to care for their child," HRSA Administrator Tom Engels said. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the department will identify the approaches that work and "scale them across the country."
Untreated dental problems can cause pain that some children cannot easily describe. Changes in eating, sleep, or behavior, rubbing the face, or refusing certain foods can sometimes signal a dental problem. Swelling of the face or jaw, fever with mouth pain, or trouble swallowing needs prompt medical attention.
What the Funding Can and Cannot Do
The money comes through a Quality Improvement Fund program, so centers will test and evaluate approaches rather than simply add appointments. The funds can support expanded preventive and other dental services, staff training, and approaches that could be replicated in other communities. Recipients will also take part in shared learning and evaluation activities.
The announcement did not say how many children will be served or which specific methods each center will use, and HHS has not released outcome targets. It is too early to know whether the program will shorten waits for care.
Health centers already play a large role. HRSA-funded health centers serve more than 32.7 million people at more than 16,600 sites, including 1 in 8 children and 1 in 5 rural residents, and they provide care regardless of a patient's ability to pay, according to HHS. More details are available through HRSA's Health Center Program.
Finding Dental Care for a Child with Special Needs
Parents can search HRSA's Find a Health Center tool by ZIP code and ask whether a center offers pediatric dental services and has experience treating children with special health care needs. Health centers offer discounts on a sliding scale based on income.
Before a first visit, ask whether the office offers shorter or quieter appointments, practice visits to help a child get used to the office, or sedation options when needed. Share your child's sensory triggers, communication style, and medications ahead of time. Children covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) generally have dental benefits, and parents can ask their plan for a list of dentists who treat children with disabilities.
Families near a funded center can call and ask whether it is enrolling new patients through the program. Keep records of past dental work and any behavioral supports that helped. A short written summary for the dental team can make a first appointment calmer for both the child and the staff.
Key Questions Answered
What did HHS announce? HHS, through HRSA, awarded $51 million to 28 health centers to improve dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Which conditions are included? Autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities, among others.
Which states received awards? California has eight recipients; Colorado and Missouri have three each; Florida and Massachusetts have two each; and Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico have one each.
How much does each center receive? Up to $2 million each. HRSA has not published individual amounts.
Why do these children struggle to get dental care? Sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and mobility challenges can make visits difficult, and families can have trouble finding dentists prepared to meet their needs.
Do health centers charge families who cannot pay? Health centers provide care regardless of a patient's ability to pay and offer sliding-scale discounts based on income.
How can parents find care? Use HRSA's Find a Health Center tool, ask about experience with children who have special needs, and check Medicaid or CHIP dental benefits.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
