Over $488,630 in Services Provided During the 2023-2024 School Year

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) is proud to share the significant impact made on children’s dental health across Okaloosa and Walton Counties. This school year alone, CVHN’s efforts have more than doubled the number of services provided, demonstrating their dedication to providing accessible and affordable healthcare to children in need.

CVHN’s two Mobile Dental Clinics, Pearl and Niecy, brought smiles and much-needed care to 1,265 children from preschool through 5th grades across the Florida panhandle. Combined, their team offered a total of $488,630 in donated dental services to children in need over the 2023-2024 school year in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

In a record-breaking year, CVHN’s impact was profound. Across both counties, 1,265 students received much needed dental care. 81% of students with cavities had their decay arrested on campus using the Atraumatic Restorative Technique (A.R.T.), which is a minimally invasive procedure that offers lasting protection against decay. CVHN’s network of generous dental providers was able to offer urgent dental care to the 16% of children who had pain and severe infection.

In addition to their two Mobile Dental Clinics, CVHN has several other programs to encourage laying the foundation for a lifetime of good health. The ‘Early Intervention Preschool Program’ rotates through preschool classes six times a year, applying a medicament that can reduce the incidence of decay by up to 97%. CVHN’s “My First Toothbrush Program” provides donations of toothbrush kits to students and non-profits throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties. This year alone, over 14 miles of floss went out into our community to encourage proper dental hygiene. CVHN’s ‘Non-Profit Partnership Program’ focuses on delivering care directly to their non-profit partners, ensuring that children most in need receive essential dental care, setting them on a path to a healthier future.

Looking ahead, the 2024-2025 school year will bring exciting expansions to all of CVHN’s programs. CVHN is thrilled to announce their services will be available to students at Destin Elementary School, Southside Primary School, and preschool students at the Wise Center and Freeport Learning Center. Furthermore, CVHN will be extending care to 5th graders at Freeport Middle School. These additions will increase the number of sites served to 24 locations.

CVHN plans to expand its network to include more dental, vision, and mental health professionals. Physicians in the community interested in joining the network, and providing their time and occasional services, are encouraged to contact CVHN’s Executive Director, Megan Trent at megan@cvhnkids.org for more information.

The community is invited to join the mission to eliminate barriers to healthcare for children. For more information about Children’s Volunteer Health Network and their initiatives, visit www.cvhnkids.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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