On-Site Dental Care Now Available at Homeless Navigation Center

Redwood City - A permanent on-site dental clinic is now available five days a week to serve interim housing clients of the County of San Mateo's Homeless Navigation Center. the 240-unit facility, operated by LifeMoves, provides temporary housing, case management and access to the full range of health care, mental health and substance use services, social supports and other programs from the County and its partner agencies. Previously, dental care was available at the Navigation Center via weekly visits from San Mateo County Health's dental mobile clinic or by scheduling an appointment with a provider located elsewhere. Now, with the availability of on-site services during the week, accessing dental care at the Navigation Center is as easy as stepping into the courtyard.

The two-chair dental clinic is operated by the University of the Pacific's Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. It provides no-cost preventive, restorative dental care and specialty care, including exams, cleanings, fillings and emergency treatment, along with oral surgery, endodontia, and periodontia, by dental students under faculty supervision and with the aid of a registered dental assistant.

With a capacity for 2,500 visits annually, the program is expected to treat up to 800 individuals a year.

"Good oral health is inextricably linked to overall health and wellness. We are proud to partner with San Mateo County in this forward-looking approach to serving the health care needs of clients in the Navigation Center and look forward to this model being replicated in other counties and jurisdictions," said Dean & Vice Provost Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi of the Dugoni School.

"An important step toward reaching the County's goals of functional zero for homelessness is making vital services easier to use," said County Executive Mike Callagy. "The clinic at the Navigation Center brings dental care right to the clients' doorstep."

With the addition of dental, the Navigation Center now houses two primary care facilities. A medical clinic, operated by Healthcare in Action, provides no-cost medical consultation and treatment to Navigation Center clients. A referral system allows clients entering one facility to be scheduled for treatment at the other, in addition to having access to other services and benefits, with the help of a case manager from LifeMoves.

"Together, with our partners, we are pioneering new models to address homelessness, working to uplift our clients with whole-person support and resources, including all-encompassing and accessible healthcare," said LifeMoves CEO Aubrey Merriman. "Addressing oral health not only improves quality of life but aids in overall health and builds on our clients' resiliency and confidence so that they can move toward permanent housing and lasting independence."

Dental coverage is included as a Medi-Cal benefit in California. With preventive care, including regular cleanings, patients require fewer extractions and with a healthier mouth may see improvement in their quality of life. Studies have shown that the combination of health and dental coverage can result in a reduction in emergency department utilization for dental visits. Regular preventive care can reduce overall dental costs compared to the treatment costs of patients with no preventive care, including for oral surgeries. There is even a reduction in dental-related opioid prescriptions.

The ability to provide on-site dental care at the Navigation Center is a result of the generosity and dedication of many community partners and funders and is overseen by San Mateo County Health.

"We remain grateful to our operating and funding partners for helping us make high-quality dental care so readily accessible," said County Executive Callagy.

Operating Partners

LifeMoves

Healthcare In Action

University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Funding Partners

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is proud to support programs that help vulnerable community members get stabilized so they can access safety-net services quickly and easily. With dental care now readily available at the Homeless Navigation Center, clients will be able to focus on a critical aspect of their health as they continue their journey toward safe and permanent housing," said Alma Pulido, program officer, Community Team.

Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital

"Sequoia Hospital is proud to partner with the Sequoia Healthcare District as a funding partner supporting critical dental care services at the Navigation Center. Dental care and other services provided at the center are vital for supporting housing security," said Bill Graham, president, Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital.

Health Plan of San Mateo

"The ability of residents to schedule and receive high-quality dental care from the clinicians at UOP is meeting a tremendous need and benefits the entire community," said Pat Curran, CEO, Health Plan of San Mateo. "We look forward to learning from this program as we continue to improve access to care for our members through HPSM Dental."

Kaiser Permanente

"This Kaiser Permanente grant will help increase access to dental services for some of the most vulnerable residents in our community" said Shasta Addessi, senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente's San Mateo County service area. "Oral health is an important part of overall health, and we are proud to provide this support to San Mateo County to improve the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve."

Sequoia Health Care District

"We are proud to support the Navigation Center's holistic approach to addressing their clients' complex health needs, which is critical step toward their long-term stability and reintegration into the community," said Pamela Kurtzman, CEO, Sequoia Health Care District.

Media Contact

Preston Merchant

Communications Officer

County Health

[email protected]