Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
The territory of Akwesasne is located in a very rural setting, there is a vast majority of community members that are elderly, low income with multiple comorbidity's. With this grant opportunity, there are two main focuses: providing a safe, low risk of COVID19 transmission for dental services and providing home monitoring systems to keep density levels at a minimum in the facility. It is imperative that we are able to ensure a safe environment, for both Saint Regis Mohawk Dental staff and Akwesasne community members while receiving dental services. Dentistry is considered a "very high risk" category for transmission of COVID - 19. The majority of dental procedures require aerosol tools, greatly increasing the risk/spread of COVID 19 - primarily by moving particles upwards of 20 feet. There is a number of structural safeguards required to limit the travel of sprayed particles, as well as appropriately outfitting dental staff with personal protective equipment (PPE). The current pandemic has required us to limit our services and take a look at our dental area. The space has not been updated in over 20 years and much of the materials are not anti-microbial. Altering the materials and creating safe guards will provide safeguards for staff and community and reduce the chances of exposure. Our second focus is to implement monitoring systems in approximately 150 homes. This will allow Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe patients the ability to be monitored in the safety of their home. This is ideal for the elderly and those who are immune compromised. Monitoring patients from the safety of their home reduces in person visits to our Health Services building, thus reducing risk for both the patient and those in the building. Limiting the number of in person visits reduce the number of individuals per square foot, thus promoting social distancing and considered best practice.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).