This spring, the Board of Directors of Children's Hospital Foundation pledged $1.25 million to support the establishment of a pediatric dental clinic in Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU's (CHoR) Children's Pavilion. Funds from the 2018 Children's Hospital Foundation Ball will also be used to purchase new dental exam chairs, equipment and supplies needed for the clinic to be fully functional. 

The future of integrated pediatric health care includes the incorporation of dental care as an important component of the overall health and well-being of children. Only 53 percent of Virginia children on Medicaid, ages 1 to 20, have received preventive dental services, which equates to 233,000 eligible children in need of, at a minimum, preventive dental care. By relocating the dental clinic from its existing space in the Wood Building to the Pavilion, where all pediatric outpatient services are located, families will be able to easily coordinate multiple visits to physicians and their child’s dentist in one location. Dental clinic visits are expected to increase by 20 percent following the move. When the new clinic opens next spring, more children will have the opportunity to receive regular, convenient, preventive care and learn about the value of oral health in their lives.

Image - Two sides of the new dental clinic in CHoR’s Children’s Pavilion will include floor to ceiling windows to make use of natural light in the space. (Rendering by Kelly/Maiello.)