Video: Mayor at Madison Middle School, announcing dental care for students

3:02 PM: We’re at Madison Middle School, where Mayor McGinn will be speaking momentarily as part of an announcement that dental care will be provided for some Seattle Public Schools students starting next year. The news release that’s been provided explains that the money comes from the Families and Education Levy passed by voters in 2011, and Neighborcare Health – whose CEO is also scheduled to speak – will be the provider. Neighborcare already runs clinics at some SPS campuses. We’ll add any West Seattle-specific details that emerge in the briefing.

3:15 PM: “You can’t learn when your teeth hurt,” the mayor noted in the briefing (which we are recording on video). Also speaking: Pat Sander from the school district, who notes, “In recent years, we’ve become much more aware of the importance of dental health, and the toll it may be taking on student attendance.” She says this will be offered at elementary and middle schools. Mark Secord, CEO of Neighborcare, says they are “thrilled” to receive the grant. “We hope to cover at least 11 schools through this grant support.” He says this will particularly benefit some students who otherwise might never get to go to a dental clinic. Speaking next: Neighborcare’s dental director, Dr. Marty Lieberman. They have not yet worked out which schools this will be offered in, for starters.

ADDED: Video of the briefing, above. Afterward, the mayor was taken on a tour of the Madison clinic, including a demonstration of the kind of portable dental equipment that’ll be used in the new program:

Here’s the mayor’s office news release about the event.

wetone June 5, 2013 (4:35 pm)

Just curious where in the levy info that was pasted in 2011 did it say money was going for dental work ? I don’t recall reading that. Maybe they should have free dental care for the people that are paying for this levy that can’ t afford to pay for their own dental work also. Would also be curious to the dollar amounts being spent on this program.

WSB June 5, 2013 (4:37 pm)

You would begrudge children dental-health care, or any kind of health care for that matter?

wetone June 5, 2013 (6:29 pm)

Did I say that ? Funny how you try to make something I said and had a question about into something else. Which you seem to do quite well. I do like to know as a tax payer and a voter on issues like this how and where the money is spent and if it was what we voted for. If you want to take this city at their word thats great and that is exacly what this city wants. But not me, as this city’s track record show its spending habits have not gone well lately and many people end up paying for them with no accountablity for the bad decision makers of this town.

WS Folks June 5, 2013 (7:47 pm)

Oh my! Well, personally, I am grateful that we have this excellent health care resource in Seattle. The non-profit Neighborcare makes a huge difference in the lives of so many people. Not sure who said this, worth keeping in mind: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

Jennifer June 10, 2013 (4:35 pm)

Spending dollars for our smallest citizens to receive preventative care at school (often the only place to get it to them) only saves larger expenditures down the road. (Duh) It’s in the language of the grant proposal, to answer the above question. Neighborcare has an impeccable track record in allocation and expenditures of funds (their records are public) and I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s a politically motivated decision on the mayor’s part or not. It’s a sound one.
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch
…. and not too great at math either.

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