DentalCare at JFS this past year saw an increase in the dental needs of Lackawanna County residents. The program was asked, by the event coordinators, to participate in the MOM-n-PA dental event at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre in June 2019. We distributed flyers, donated by Independent Graphics, about our dental program as well as imprinted toothbrushes. A donation was received from the Northeast PA Dental Assisting Society and a mini-grant from the Scranton Area Foundation – Community Needs Fund to cover the cost of the toothbrushes. JFS was listed in the MOM-n-PA patient handouts as one of the agencies who provide dental care for the uninsured/under insured. The primary goal for JFS’s participation in this program was to provide a point of contact for those attending the event to be able to obtain continued dental support.
We also had a major increase in senior citizens applying for dental assistance this year. Referrals are coming from Bureau of Aging and the local senior citizen housing complexes. Since these seniors are on fixed incomes and are having difficulty paying for major dental services, even after a substantial discount from the Scranton District Dental Society dentists, we researched and applied for a dental grant earmarked especially for seniors. Funding for this grant will be announced in November 2019.
