Academic–community partnerships to develop oral health services for low-income, inner-city communities

Goal: The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California is proactive in actualizing the University's mission of community engagement and coalition development in central Los Angeles. These projects not only increase access to care for underserved populations, but also develop real-world clinical skills and social responsibility in future healthcare providers.

Needs: There are over a 100,000 people living below the poverty rate in central Los Angeles, including almost 8,000 homeless concentrated in Skid Row. Research indicates poor oral health and little access to dental care for the poor. One local health access study calculated the need for a 30 chair clinic to adequately address these oral health needs.

Methods: Innovative collaborations have been formed between USC and community organizations. In 2000 we jointly developed with the Union Rescue Mission a new 8 chair dental clinic, adjacent to a medical clinic, in their homeless shelter. In winter 2009 we opened a 7 chair dental clinic with the JWCH Institute and LA County Health Department, in a new integrated FQHC/Health Department site. Projected for fall of 2010, we will be collaborating with the South Central Family Health Center, another FQHC with no dental services, to implement a new 6 chair clinic, coordinated with their medical services, and within a community center.

Results: Effective program design, staff sharing and budget development have been accomplished to initiate and operate these services. Resources have been optimized, e.g. USCSD student staffing, agency contributions and volunteers, government reimbursements, foundation funding and corporate donations.