DOING BUSINESS


has returned to PDI for treatment of severe tooth decay. They bring a bag of healthy food and simple healthy recipes, then sit and chat with the family to reinforce the information given by the in-house oral health educator. During these visits, the promotores also help the fami- lies deal with any problems they might be experiencing such as diffi- culty accessing health care, dealing with family issues or simply filling out necessary forms for school or health care. Since


opening in 2008, PDI


has treated more than 20,000 chil- dren and has provided oral health education, dental screening and aid in accessing health insur- ance to another 30,000-plus fami-


lies. This unique model is funded entirely through grants and dona- tions because there are no gov- ernment


programs that support


prevention education. The value of this approach to den- tal disease is clear. When patients leave PDI, they have healthy mouths and their parents have the knowl- edge to maintain their family’s den- tal health. Providing treatment, pre- vention education, case management and general support to low-income children and families helps them overcome cultural and economic bar- riers to care and builds the founda- tion for a healthy future. In addition, by reducing the number of


visits


to hospital emergency rooms and missed school days, the cost to tax


payers is reduced. A Children Now 2009 policy brief stated that, “For every dollar spent on preventive den- tal services for children, $8 to $50 is saved in restorative and emer- gency treatments later in life.” To quote Jared Fine, DDS, former den- tal health administrator for Alameda County, California, “Over the long haul, we could save tax-payer dollars by preventing dental problems in the first place.” Above all, after visiting PDI, children who were in pain, are able to eat healthy food, concentrate in school and smile.


Hazel Whiteoak is the development and communications manager at PDI Surgery Center in Windsor, California. Write her at Hazel@pdisurgerycenter.org.


ASC FOCUS JANUARY 2019 | ascfocus.org


27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38