San Benito Health Foundation Dental Program Expands Capacity with Gift from
The Health Trust

Foundation provides needed dental chairs and equipment to Hollister clinic

July 6, 2008, HOLLISTER, Calif. ­­– Starting next month the San Benito Health Foundation Dental Program will be able to care for twice as many patients thanks to a gift from The Health Trust, a Silicon Valley based nonprofit foundation.

Today The Health Trust provided the Dental Program with two operatory units: dental chairs complete with an island unit, treatment lights and treatment equipment, valued at almost $20,000. The chairs and equipment are part of a larger project to upgrade and expand the clinic so it can care for as many as 60 patients a day by the end of this year.

 “This is a wonderful gift that allows us to expand access to high quality care to meet the growing need in our community. Our dentists will see a higher volume of patients while providing each patient with quality, comfortable care with the dignity and respect that our community deserves,” said San Benito Health Foundation CEO Rosa Vivian Fernandez.

The San Benito Health Foundation Dental Program, supported by federal funding, provides care to all community members regardless of ability to pay, and is one of the few locations in the county that serves the uninsured, Denti-Cal and Healthy Families patients. The Program’s year long expansion plans include the addition of more chairs, equipment and a new Spanish-speaking dentist, who will start seeing patients this month. The expanded capacity will also allow the Dental Program to see additional patients that are referred from the county’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, and other local service providers to ensure that children receive necessary, timely dental care and other clinical services.

The Health Trust was able to provide the equipment from its recently closed Franklin McKinley Dental Center in San Jose. On June 14th The Health Trust opened a brand new, state-of-the-art Children’s Dental Center in East San Jose, operated in conjunction with Children’s Dental Group.

Health Trust CEO Frederick J. Ferrer explained, “It is wonderful that this equipment can go to good use meeting the needs of children and families in San Benito County. I believe these units will be so beneficial that I have given an additional $1,000 grant to cover the San Benito Health Foundation Dental Program’s cost of disconnecting their old units.”

The San Benito Health Foundation is located at 351 Felice Drive in Hollister. In addition to dental services San Benito Health Foundation offers medical care, prenatal care, women’s health services, pediatric and adult immunizations, physicals and WIC services.  All services are provided at a convenient location accessible to the community of San Benito.  Appointments can be made by calling (831) 637-5306.

About The Health Trust
The Health Trust is a nonprofit foundation that provides grants, services and advocacy to support its vision of Silicon Valley as the healthiest region in America.  In January, The Health Trust announced a $30 million investment in three initiatives – Healthy Living, Healthy Aging, and Healthy Communities.  For more information, visit www.healthtrust.org.

Media Contact

The Health Trust
(408) 879-4112
NicoleK@healthtrust.org