LIBERTY Dental Plan Sponsors Smile Keepers Program for Seventh Year
08/03/2012
Irvine, CA – August 1, 2012 – LIBERTY Dental Plan (LIBERTY) proudly observed their seventh annual sponsorship of Smile Keepers, a community dental screening program in Sacramento County. LIBERTY’s contribution for the dental hygiene public service program received extremely positive results, with over 1,100 local school-age children receiving valuable dental care from this year’s efforts.
The Smile Keepers team of volunteer staff took mobile dental vans to over 23 public elementary schools and community events last year to reach high-risk, low-income areas where local children are less likely to have the opportunity to see a dentist.
Over 660 kindergarten-aged children learned the importance of dental hygiene when Smile Keepers visited elementary classes across Sacramento, and provided the young patients with oral check-ups and at least one coat of varnish. Another 446 kids received dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, and referral resources at community events such as Back to School Fairs, and Family Resource Center Events. Additionally, over 5,000 LIBERTY fliers containing proper oral health tips were distributed to children and their parents.
Melinda Bitney, Sacramento Network Manager of LIBERTY Dental Plan commended Kate Varanelli, Sacramento County Dental Health Program Coordinator, and The Smile Keepers team of volunteer staff for their successes with this program and its mission to introduce healthy dental habits to the children of Sacramento County. “LIBERTY Dental Plan has continued its financial commitment in support of this invaluable low-income preschool oral health program in Sacramento County since 2005, providing dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, oral health education information and follow-up on those children needing dental services. LIBERTY is proud of our partnership with The Smile Keepers Program and the benefits it brings to the children of Sacramento County.”
About LIBERTY Dental Plan
LIBERTY Dental Plan specializes in commercial and government sponsored dental programs, providing services to managed care organizations, state governments, labor unions, large group employers, municipalities, and individuals. With a vast majority of its membership enrolled in government sponsored programs, LIBERTY is recognized as a specialist in administering dental care for Medicaid, SCHIP and Medicare beneficiaries. LIBERTY has a proven record of successfully increasing the utilization of quality dental care for multiple programs, ensuring that a larger portion of premiums are appropriated directly to care.
LIBERTY Dental Plan is also recognized as an industry leader in the area of Dental Disease Management. A member of The Care Continuum Alliance (carecontinuum.org), LIBERTY shares their commitment to promote high quality standards for and definitions of key components of wellness, disease, case management where appropriate, and care coordination programs as well as support services and materials.