Health Department selected to receive $350,000 grant
For mobile dental clinic to serve uninsured, low-income children

The DuPage County Health Department’s Dental Program has been selected to receive a $350,000 grant from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation to purchase a mobile dental clinic. This full service dental van will increase the health department’s ability to provide much needed dental services to uninsured and low-income children in DuPage County communities.

The DuPage County Board of Health approved acceptance of the grant at its Dec. 8 meeting.

The foundation, which provides grants to increase access by children to quality healthcare, including oral health, selected the health department’s application in October. Funding is expected by the end of 2005. The van will be delivered to the health department within six months of purchase. A “Name the Van Contest” will be organized in observance of Children’s Oral Health Month in February.

DuPage County communities with high dental needs include elementary schools in West Chicago, Glendale Heights, Addison and Bensenville.

The board of health’s acceptance of the grant allows Community Health Services to prepare bids to purchase the van and provide detailed staffing plans and expenses needed to implement the program in 2006.

“We promote health, prevent illness, and provide quality service”