Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center
Founded in 1920, Eisner is a comprehensive, high quality, patient-centered medical home, serving families in the historically underserved communities of Downtown, South Los Angeles, Koreatown, Westlake, Leimert Park, Jefferson Park, Crenshaw and Mid-City. They offer adult and pediatric medical clinics, a women's health center, a dental clinic, a mental health department, on-site pharmacy, lab, digital x-ray, four school-based health centers and one school-based portable dental clinic. The Women Helping Youth grant will set up a second elementary school-based dental clinic at Nevin Elementary School where 96.3% of students are enrolled in the free lunch program. The $25,915.00 grant will provide the equipment needed for on-site dental exams including an operator cart, patient chair and carrying case, halogen light and carrying case, doctor's and assistant's stool, complete x-ray system, LED curling light, high speed handpiece, operative/amalgam tool kit, extraction kit and exam tool kits. Dental visits will include screenings, exams, x-rays, fluoride varnish, sealants, filling cavities, extractions, root canals, other moderate treatments, as well as oral health education. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic infectious disease in California children, epidemic among young children in the poorest communities, and poor dental health is the #1 cause of absenteeism in LA County. However, low-income parents do not bring their children to the dentist due to barriers such as transportation, cost and work schedules. Consequently children with severe dental problems go untreated until they end up in an emergency room. Untreated tooth decay has far-reaching effects on children's development, compromises their ability to eat, speak, and concentrate in school, reduces self esteem, and leads to failure to thrive. 250-300 unduplicated pre-K-5th graders will now receive dental exams and services annually with the benefits of school-based dental care including accessibility, improved school attendance and minimized classroom disruptions. Children will also get to know the dentist so they become less afraid.