BHF grant to HealthNet provides dental care to patients in need
Above: The HealthNet Foundation recently created a video highlighting their staff heroes at their Bloomington and Indianapolis locations.
HealthNet is a federally qualified health center and not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation providing primary care health services to the medically underserved in Indianapolis and Bloomington, serving 60,000 patients annually.
BHF has supported HealthNet Bloomington Health Center since its earlier iteration as Volunteers in Medicine Bloomington. Recently, BHF awarded a grant to HealthNet via the Wahl Family Trust to cover co-pays and other non-covered critical dental care ranging from cleaning to major dental work such as extractions, root canals, dentures, and denture partials for their underserved patients. While HealthNet does offer a sliding fee scale, the cost can still be prohibitive for some.
Funding for the grant was generously provided by The Wahl Family Charitable Trust, named after dedicated philanthropists Henry and Cecilia Wahl. While the grant covers any area residents in need, it was conceived based on the particular needs of our community’s seniors and veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) currently does not provide dental care coverage unless very specific criteria are met; thus, it can be difficult for many veterans to find affordable dental care. Although the VA assists veterans with many medical issues, a veteran must fit one of several specific conditions, such as being 100% disabled or developing their oral health/dental condition during active duty, to qualify for VA dental benefits.
Additionally, many seniors seeking services need help with dentures or partials and other dental services, none of which is covered by Medicare. Of the nearly 1,500 patients seen in 2020, 107 claims for financial assistance for dental care were made to HealthNet Foundation.
Dental care is critical to staying health. Oral and dental health is even said “to be a window” into one’s overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health can lead to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia, and has been linked to eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, and immune system disorders. Beyond regular brushing and flossing, regular dental check-ups and professional care for complications are crucial to avoiding these serious health complications.
To date, the Wahl Family Charitable Trust has gifted $98,500 to BHF in support of the health of our community. This latest initiative continues BHF’s tradition of support to HealthNet and underserved populations. Earlier this year, BHF provided a grant to help cover medication assistance for all HealthNet Bloomington patients and in 2019, BHF supported dental care at the clinic with a significant grant to purchase dental equipment.
Any patient that falls below the federal poverty level, is uninsured, underinsured, or unemployed can qualify for financial assistance with the HealthNet Foundation. Call 812-333-4001 to learn more.
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