ENGLEWOOD —The dental clinic at St. Bernard Hospital and Healthcare Center is the recipient of the second annual Wisdom Tooth Award, which includes a $100,000 grant.
Each year the award goes to a nonprofit “that has made a significant impact on improving Illinois children’s oral health with a proven program that provides oral health education and access to oral health resources and care,” said Lora Vitek, director of philanthropy & community relations for the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, which sponsors the award.
She added that St. Bernard Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to helping children.
“The St. Bernard Dental Center is one of the few facilities providing comprehensive oral health care for children with special needs,” Vitek said. “We are thrilled to be able to recognize and support such a deserving organization and help them provide a needed service to children who might not otherwise have access to oral health care."
Erie Family Health Center in Chicago and the Douglas County Health Department in downstate Tuscola were the other two finalists. Last year Promise Healthcare in Champaign was the foundation's inaugural winner. The award also comes with a $100,000 grant, which St. Bernard officials said would be used to continue treating special needs children at its dental clinic.
“Thanks to the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s award, we will be able to continue to help improve the oral health of underserved children with special needs, said Dr. Vipul Singhal, director of St. Bernard's dental clinic.
“Children with special needs face increased oral health problems because of physical, cognitive and financial challenges," Singhal said. "Routine oral health care, like brushing and flossing teeth, can be more difficult for these children and may require caregiver support.”
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