New Dental Clinic for Foster Children

Kenwood, CA (May 4, 2016) - Starting on May 5, 2016, Petaluma Health Center will provide free dental care to foster kids at their new dental clinic at Valley of the Moon Children’s Village. The Valley of the Moon Children’s Village is a 24 hour emergency shelter that offers services to children and teens through the County’s child protective system.

“Petaluma Health Center is committed to ensuring that every child and teen in Sonoma County has access to prevention-focused dental care,” said Pedro Toledo, Petaluma Health Center’s Chief Administrative Officer.

All foster children are eligible for Denti-Cal, the State of California’s dental coverage for low-income residents. Few private dentists accept Denti-Cal due to low reimbursement rates from the State of California. Petaluma Health Center’s new dental clinic at Valley of the Moon’s Children’s Village will provide comprehensive dental care and will be open to any foster child or teen.

There are currently more than 400 children in Sonoma County’s foster care system—a number that has doubled in the last decade. Nearly 40% of children enter foster care with oral disease and tooth decay.

According to Ramona English, DMD, Petaluma Health Center’s Dental Director, “Untreated oral disease hinders the healthy development and academic achievement of children, which further compounds the challenges children and teens face in the foster care system.”

“Petaluma Health Center’s Valley of the Moon’s Children’s Village Dental Clinic will help to ensure that Sonoma County’s most vulnerable children have access to the dental care that they deserve. All children deserve the opportunity to thrive and live fulfilling, productive lives,” said Pedro Toledo.

About Petaluma Health Center

Petaluma Health Center is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring that all people in Southern Sonoma County have access to prevention-focused medical, dental, and behavioral health care. With an annual operating budget of over $31 Million, Petaluma Health Center provides over 123,000 medical, dental, and behavioral health visits annually to over 27,000 residents of Southern Sonoma County. With 27 dental chairs, Petaluma Health Center is the largest safety-net dental practice in the North Bay.

For further information, visit www.phealthcenter.org.