MEDFORD, Ore. — More kids will have brighter pearly whites thanks to the Community Health Center’s efforts to bring oral hygiene to less-fortunate families. Pacific Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, recently donated $2,500 to the cause.

The PacifiCorp Foundation grant will be used to help pay for oral health education, screening and dental sealant services for 2,000 of the community’s most needy students. Public schools in the Upper Rogue region of Jackson County enroll 4,496 students in grades kindergarten through 12.

More than 52 percent of these students reside in households living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty index. According to the Community Health Center, nearly 90 percent of these children have not received any preventive dental care within the past year, and many have never seen a dentist.

“The most frequent chronic disease among children is tooth decay, and it’s a highly preventable problem,” said Peg Crowley, Community Health Center executive director. “We work with parents to help them educate their kids and put sealant on teeth to give them further protection.”

Dawn Wille, registered nurse and student health program manager at the center, said the PacifiCorp Foundation’s grant will help expand the program into Butte Falls and Prospect this year.

“Last year, we were able to provide oral health screening, but weren't able to follow up and make sure the kids received the dental care they needed,” Wille said. “It's exciting to know that this grant will help us go a step further.”

“Pacific Power is proud to partner with the Community Health Center and rural school districts in the Upper Rogue Valley,” said Monte Mendenhall, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “Oral hygiene education and screening programs are important components to the students’ educational experience.”

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com