The UCLA School of Dentistry received a $9 million donation to improve dental care for Los Angeles children last week.
A donation from First 5 LA, an organization that is dedicated to improving the health of children ages 5 and under, will fund the initiative to decrease the prevalence of early dental diseases in lower income communities throughout Los Angeles. UCLA will collaborate with the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, Safety Net Solutions and the Sesame Workshop to work with about 10 dental clinics in underprivileged areas of the city to provide younger children with stable dental care. The team will also educate parents about the importance of oral hygiene, according to a statement from the university.
“This project promises to bring about preventative and lasting improvements in oral health, not only in the Los Angeles community but eventually at national and global scales as well,” said No-Hee Park, dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry, in the statement.
The donation was prompted by the dental community’s conclusion that providing dental care early in life lessens health risks as the child grows older, the statement said.
Compiled by Erin Donnelly, Bruin senior staff.