Health Establishments at Local Schools

What is HEALS? HEALS provides school- based primary medical, dental and social services to children. We provide medical referral and social services to parents/guardians and other household members. We strive to positively affect school attendance and academic performance. We are strong advocates for accessible health care.

HEALS’ Holistic Approach Primary Medical Care Family Dental Services Social Work Services

The Need Existed The HEALS Board of Directors and the school system looked at several options to increase dental care for Huntsville’s children Pay local dentists to see the under-served patients A dental van that would serve all schools and low-income neighborhoods A permanent dental clinic at the existing HEALS site

So It began… A portable classroom was donated by The Huntsville City school system Volunteers from both the school system and the community converted it into a dental facility with three operatories Local dentists donated the majority of the durable dental equipment Opened in August 2000

Dental Services Offered Preventive Care Prophylaxis Sealants Fluoride X-Ray, including Panoramic General Dentistry Simple Extractions Restorative Endodontics Pediatric Dentistry Periodontal Space Maintenance/SS Crowns

Current Numbers Presently averaging 3 days per week Approximately16 patients per clinic day Urgent Need from all schools (by referral only) to date 100% of Lincoln students are now on maintenance for prophy and restorative 40% of Terry Heights students have had services

Dental Clinic 2,355 patient encounters since August of these patients from schools other than Lincoln and Terry Heights $307,962 in dental work completed 3,534 volunteer hours Actual cost $68,765

HEALS’ Collaborative Partners Huntsville City Schools Huntsville Hospital Family Services Department of Human Resources Children’s Advocacy Center Therapy Partners, Inc. Second Mile Development Community Action Agency Community Free Clinic Local Physicians and Dentists

Our Volunteers Over 3,500 hours have been donated to the clinic 17 local Dentists 5 Hygienists 5 Dental Assistants Many other volunteers

Let’s Look at the Numbers Number of Caries Number of patients who had not previously seen a dentist Number of Sealants

Number of Caries

Number Sealants

Never Seen Dentist

Pam McGowan 1st Grade Teacher After 30 years at Lincoln School…”I have seen more benefit from HEALS Cassity Clinic than any other program...”

Oral Health Education Provide hygiene supplies throughout the year School assembly during National Dental Health Week Dental clinic sends birthday cards to each student

Total Cost To-Date Expenses since opening $106,416 – Total expenses, including operating expenses and salaries Includes all durable and expendable supplies Includes new equipment Panoramic X-Ray Autoclave Curing Light 2 dental chairs/units Processor

Funding Sources Healthy Community of Huntsville Hospital Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Boeing Employee Good Neighbor Fund CAS Cares Combined Federal Campaign United Way Third party reimbursement (Medicaid) Jeff Enfinger, US Senator Alabama Civil Justice Foundation Local Churches and Private Donations

HEALS’ Future To align with UAB Dental School Provide services five days per week Provide services to all students in all Title 1 schools in Huntsville and Madison County