Community Partnerships

Care and Outreach With an Impact

FORBA and its network of associated dental centers work with states and communities to strengthen children’s dental health nationwide. Our caregivers work with parents, schools and local organizations to educate families about the best way to safeguard the dental health of low-income and underserved children.

A Trusted Partner

FORBA is a trusted partner of state health agencies and other health care providers. We provide critical dental health services for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and other government healthcare initiatives.

In the neighborhoods and communities we serve, our dental centers also partner with local schools, libraries, shelters, and early childhood programs to reach families who need our care the most.

Support for the Mission

We also work with universities and other institutions to support research on the most effective methods of care for children from underserved populations.

In July 2008, the lead dentists of three FORBA-managed dental centers volunteered to recruit patients for a multi-year study conducted by The PEARL Network (Partners Engaged in Applied Learning and Research) that will examine treatment of deep caries nationwide.

Management of deep caries close to the dental pulp presents a challenge to both clinician and patient because the prognosis for recommended treatments is not well documented. The PEARL Network designed the study to assess treatment outcomes for both procedures in PEARL Network practices. The study, currently in its early phases, will recruit 560 patients who will be monitored at 6 and 12-month intervals to examine treatment efficacy.

FORBA also offers financial assistance to organizations that work to improve children’s health and the lives of those in need. Organizations that receive our support include the Children’s Dental Health Project, the American Red Cross, the Foundation to Eradicate Duchene’s Disease, Massachusetts Health Care For All, and the Virginia and Colorado Mission of Mercy projects.

Employees Who Care

At the community level, dental center employees work hard to safeguard the dental health of children in their communities. During National Children’s Dental Health Month in February 2009, our dental centers provided more than 8,000 free screenings to children across the country, and dentists held educational programs for parents about keeping their children’s teeth healthy and clean.

Nationwide, dental center open houses, health fairs and school-based education programs hosted by our caregivers help to raise awareness about the importance of healthy smile.

Healthy Smile, Happy Child Day

During Children’s Dental Health Month in February, FORBA-assocaited dental centers provided more than 8,000 free screenings at their dental centers across the country as part of “Healthy Smile, Happy Child Day."

During Dental Health Month, FORBA-associated dentists and dental staff appeared on television and authored opinion pieces in local newspapers to help raise awareness about the problem of childhood tooth decay and help better educate parents and children about the best way to care for their teeth.

Opinion pieces appeared in: The State (South Carolina), The Idaho Statesman, The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Lynn Daily Item (Massachusetts), The Beaumont News Enterprise (Texas), The Pueblo Chieftain (Colorado), and the Reno Gazette-Journal (Nevada).

Our dental centers are proud to play an active role in their community. From open houses, to partnering with other health providers, to helping those in need, FORBA’s dentists and dental assistances take pride in serving the communities in which they live and work.

Open Houses and Free Screenings

FORBA-associated dental centers are proud to help better educate parents and children about good oral health practices. By inviting community leaders, healthcare partners and patients to their clinics, our dental caregivers are bringing health, happy smiles to their communities.

Pictured: Texas Smiles of Austin Open House