Cabarrus Partnership for Children funds the Smart Start Emergency Oral Health Services at the Cabarrus Health Alliance. This program provides funding for emergency dental treatment and follow-up for children ages 0-5 years old who have no dental insurance or Medicaid.
Emergency Dental Care for Young Children
When a child is experiencing dental pain or an urgent oral health need, getting timely care can make all the difference.
Cabarrus Partnership for Children funds Smart Start Emergency Oral Health Services at Cabarrus Health Alliance, providing emergency dental treatment and follow-up care for children ages 0–5 who do not have dental insurance or Medicaid.
Through this support, children who may otherwise have difficulty accessing dental care can receive treatment for urgent dental needs.
Connecting Children to Care
Emergency dental needs can be especially difficult for families who face barriers to accessing care, including the cost of dental insurance, transportation challenges, work and school schedules, and limited provider availability.
Cabarrus Health Alliance’s integrated approach helps identify urgent dental needs during medical visits and connect children with appropriate treatment.
Through dental screenings and coordinated care, children can receive timely oral health assessments. When needed, a dentist can be consulted in real time through tele-dentistry to help determine the appropriate treatment and next steps.
Many emergency dental needs can be addressed the same day or the next day.
Program Success Story
One recent success story demonstrates the impact of Emergency Dental Services.
A 4-year-old girl came to Cabarrus Health Alliance for medical care. During her visit, her medical provider requested a dental screening. The screening revealed significant untreated dental decay that had been causing her pain for several months.
Her family did not have dental insurance and had been unable to access the dental care she needed.
Because her oral health was addressed as part of her overall care, the CHA team identified the urgent need, worked with her family and scheduled her for treatment with one of CHA’s staff dentists.
Thanks to available Smart Start funding, she received the dental care she needed and was able to start school with a healthy, happy smile.
This is the difference timely emergency dental care can make; helping relieve a child’s pain while addressing an oral health problem before it can become a larger health concern.
More Than Treating a Tooth
Emergency dental care isn’t only about treating an immediate problem. For a young child, untreated dental decay can mean ongoing pain and discomfort and can affect their daily life.
By helping children receive timely treatment, Emergency Oral Health Services can address urgent needs and connect families with follow-up care.
For More Information
Contact Dr. Elly Steel at (704) 920-1098.
Click here for an overview of dental services at Cabarrus Health Alliance.
Locations
Cabarrus Health Alliance – 300 Mooresville Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Cabarrus DreamCenter – 280 Concord Pkwy S, Suite 110A, Concord, NC 28027
Our Focus
Health and Early Intervention
Early intervention and health are essential for child development. Timing is critical in order for children to fulfill their potential. A healthy start is vital to a child’s future!
Early Care and Education
Improves the quality of care for young children in local child care facilities, public schools, and church preschools.
Family Education and Support
Provides families with education, information, resources, and support so their children can have the best start at life.