February 10, 2009

Low-income students on Chicago's North Side will now have improved access to affordable dental care. Heartland International Health Center, an affiliate of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, will begin oral health services at one of its two school health centers, Heartland Health Center – Roosevelt. Heartland Health Center – Roosevelt is a high-quality health center providing comprehensive and affordable health care for students of Roosevelt High School, a Chicago Public School.

Heartland Health Center – Roosevelt's new two-chair dental suite makes the facility one of only three school health centers in Illinois offering primary care, mental health care, and oral health care services using a new integrated electronic health records system. 

The launch of the dental suite coincides with the American Dental Association's National Children's Dental Health Month. Tooth decay is prevalent at a much higher rate among Illinois' low-income children—affecting their ability to learn and perform—than among other students. With the high rates of poverty and near-poverty conditions in the health center's service area, the services will help address the disproportionately high percentage of children in the community with tooth decay and other oral health issues.

The health of our children is priceless, but nearly 40% of Illinois children did not visit a doctor in the past year. Providing low or no-cost services such as medical, mental health, dental and health education services in the school setting where many children already are on a daily basis, is an effective way to promote health and wellness among students and is a cost effective investment of public dollars. Please subscribe to Heartland Alliance Action Alerts, and take action when your elected official is voting on important legislation, like funding for school-based health centers. 

Heartland International Health Center is an affiliate of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights.