This week, National Health Center Week, we celebrate the important work of America’s health centers. They are local engines for healthier communities. Learn more about community health centers here.
There are 44 million uninsured people in this nation and
another 56 million who, although they may have health insurance, live in areas
without access to doctors and basic health services. Federally qualified
community health centers fill this need for over 22 million people at more than
9,000 sites located in all 50 states and U.S. territories. 3,000 of those
sites include dental services. National Health Center Week raises awareness of
the access to care needs that exist in our communities and the importance of
providing coordinated primary and preventive health care.
Community health centers truly represent the
patient-centered health home: over 80 percent of community health centers
provide primary medical, dental and behavioral health services under one roof,
integrating and coordinating care of the whole patient.
DentaQuest is committed to the success of dental programs at
community health centers, many of whom face significant financial challenges in
their efforts to meet the mission of providing quality care to those in need.
Our Safety
Net Solutions (SNS) program has established relationships with over 300
community health center dental programs, working with health center staff and
administration and providing technical expertise and assistance that is helping
them balance access and capacity so they can provide quality care for more
people.
This is challenging work. So, each year at the National Primary Oral Health
Conference, the DentaQuest Institute
celebrates the work of exemplary safety net dental programs. This year, we will
honor five organizations as a John Rossetti Center of Excellence. Each has made
significant contributions to high-quality oral health care. We congratulate
these 2014 award winners:
The awards also honor the legacy of Dr. John Rossetti, a man
who dedicated his career in the U.S. Public Health Service to the oral health
needs of underserved people. Dr. Rossetti spent the later years of his career
working as an Expert Advisor for the DentaQuest Institute’s Safety Net
Solutions program, sharing his wisdom and expertise in the form of technical
assistance related to safety net practice management for dental programs. The
DentaQuest Institute named its annual Centers for Excellence Award after Dr.
John Rossetti to honor safety net dental programs that continue his spirit of
excellence in public health leadership. These are programs where leadership and
excellence in oral health practice management has led to sustained improvement
in access to care and the oral health of their patients.
This year, the John Rosetti Centers of Excellence awards
will be presented on Tuesday, August 19th at the National Primary
Oral Health Conference during the National
Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) and DentaQuest Institute awards
luncheon.
We extend our gratitude to all who are working toward the
common goal of helping community health centers succeed.