IBC Foundation awards $50,000 for Kids Smiles' services
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Independence Blue Cross Foundation presented a check for $50,000 to Kids Smiles to expand services at its west Philadelphia location. The foundation’s support will help Kids Smiles add three new dental chairs, increasing the total to 10, and introduce digital X-rays and record management to the office. The improvements are essential to keeping up with current appointment demands and maintaining efficiency while expanding dental care services to 16- and 17-year-old patients.
Kids Smiles currently accepts 1,150 patients per month in its west and southwest Philadelphia locations, a volume that is rarely seen in children’s dental centers. Approximately 30% are new patients. Cheryl Janssen, Kids Smiles’ CEO, explains, “Our patient parents want quality dental care for their children, but our resources have become limited due to our dental center layout and an increasing demand for services. This generous contribution from the IBC Foundation allows us to provide more efficient services for current patients while continuing to accept new patients. It also enables us to provide dental services for our older teens that have difficulty finding affordable dental homes after leaving our care.”
Since 2007, Independence Blue Cross has supported Kids Smiles programs. This most recent award is received from the newly established Independence Blue Cross Foundation through the Blue Safety Net initiative, partnering with Kids Smiles through a shared commitment to transform communities with innovative health care.
“Regular dental care is critical to overall good health, and we are very pleased that our support for Kids Smiles will help even more kids get the services they need,” said Lorina Marshall-Blake, IBC Foundation president. “Also, Kids Smiles helps children understand how important it is to take care of their teeth so they can learn and keep those healthy habits throughout their lives.”
Click here to read more about Kids Smiles.
Kids Smiles receives $25,000 grant from OHA
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