TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the State of California Department of Health Services for a Dental Disease Prevention Program, in the amount of $171,000 for a period of three years, and increase appropriations in the Health Fund (SR 130) and in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) by $57,000; and authorize City Manager to execute an agreement with L.A. Care Health Plan for the continuation of the DHHS Smile Bright Dental Disease Prevention Program and necessary documents to continue funding the program for a period of one year, and increase appropriations in the Health Fund (SR 130) and in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) by $63,700. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The State of California Department of Health Services , Children s Dental Disease
Prevention Program (State CDDPP), has awarded the City of Long Beach $171 000 in
grant funds to continue the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Children
Dental Disease Prevention Program (Smile Bright) for a three-year period ($57 000
annually). The State has awarded the City a grant for this program since 1981.
L.A. Care Health Plan (L.A. Care) has also awarded the City of Long Beach a $63 700
grant to allow the DHHS to continue the expansion of the Smile Bright Program for a oneyear
period. L.A. Care initially funded the DHHS for expansion of this program in 2003-
2004 for $122 000.
The DHHS Smile Bright Dental Disease Prevention Program is an oral health education
and intervention program that targets pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students who
attend Long Beach schools with high percentages of low-income children who are eligible
for the free and reduced price meal program. Smile Bright funds health educators who
provide classroom education sessions on flossing, brushing, and prevention of dental
disease and injury; and a dental hygienist who performs screening and dental sealant
applications in the school settings. The State CDDPP ...
Click here for full text