Children’s Dental Program Receives Grant

The Kern County Children's Dental Health Network recently received a $500,000 grant from First 5 Kern to expand its no-cost dental cleanings and treatments to the eastern part of the county, the Bakersfield Californian reports. First 5 administers the county's share of proceeds of a state tax to fund children's health care and education programs.

The money will allow the program to treat up to 1,000 more children. About 2,500 Kern County children currently receive care from the program annually.

The funding also will allow dental hygienists to increase their visits in eastern Kern County from once or twice a year to about once every three weeks, according to Janice Montoya, a facilitator for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

Expanded treatment likely will begin this fall in Ridgecrest, California City, Rosamond, Lake Isabella, Kernville, Mojave and other areas, Montoya said (Schencker, Bakersfield Californian, 7/11).