Sunset Park Health Council (Lutheran Family Health Centers)

Grant Status

Completed

Project Title

Dental Clinic Preservation and Expansion

Award Amount

$200,000

Location

New York, NY

Website

http://www.lutheranmedicalcenter.com

Date Awarded

September 17, 2009

Due to the economic crisis, New York City has announced plans to eliminate its Oral Health Program (OHP) and to close all 46 OHP dental clinics that had provided dental services in public schools since 1903 and served 17,000 of New York City’s most vulnerable children. This project will allow Lutheran Family Health Centers (LFHC) to offset acquisition and start-up costs for 12 OHP clinics.

The extension of LFHC’s federally qualified health center status to these clinics will support long-term sustainability by providing access to higher reimbursement rates. Under LFHC’s management, these clinics will also experience increased operational capacity and serve more children. NYSHealth funding will be used to make an essential investment in equipment, infrastructure, and health information technology, which will yield improvements in the accessibility, quality, scope, and coordination of care, and create operational efficiencies that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the clinics.