HARRISBURG – Capital Blue Cross’ generous support of community dental outreach programs has helped thousands across Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley receive vital dental services over the past year.

October is National Dental Hygiene month, and research shows good dental health goes hand in hand with good overall health. Poor oral health has been linked to higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

“Capital Blue Cross understands that many individuals are unable to access dental services,” said Susan Hubley, Capital Blue Cross vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Barriers to care such as lack of insurance and transportation prevent many from receiving preventive dental care, which can lead to more serious health issues. That’s why Capital has made it a priority to support programs that help make it easier for lower-income, harder-to-reach populations to get the care they need.”

Capital supports Mission of Mercy mobile dental outreach program serving Harrisburg and Gettysburg, as well as St. Luke’s Star Community Health and LVHN’s Miles of Smiles mobile dental programs serving the Allentown, Bethlehem, and Lehighton areas.

The mobile outreach programs Capital supports have drawn nearly 4,400 visits since last June, providing dental services to uninsured and underinsured children and adults, in diverse communities throughout Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. Dental professionals staffing the vans applied more than 5,800 sealants and performed at least 1,300 dental restorations.

“These mobile-outreach initiatives provide critical dental care to people in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley who otherwise might not have received it,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash. “They are perfect examples of how Capital goes the extra mile every day to make healthcare more equitable, accessible and affordable in the communities we serve.”

Capital also has continued to proudly support The Dr. Aaron & Sarah Litwak Dental Clinic at Northampton Community College. The health insurer’s funding helps purchase new equipment that trains the college’s dental hygiene students and helps them treat thousands of underserved, low-income patients who visit their labs annually. In the past year, the program’s students served nearly 2,500 community members.

 

About Capital Blue Cross

Capital Blue Cross serves a 21-county region in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley by offering health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind and promote health and wellness for our members. We focus on simplifying and personalizing the healthcare experience and using innovative solutions – including patient-focused care models, actionable data, and digital health technologies – to create healthier lives and lower healthcare costs. Our Capital Blue Cross Connect health and wellness centers provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
JERRY REIMENSCHNEIDER
Senior Public Relations Specialist | Brand & Market Strategy
https://www.capbluecross.com/