Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - To Help Everyone Health & Wellness Centers (T.H.E.), a Federally Qualified Health Center and Joint Commissioned recognized Patient Centered Medical Home, has three sites located in the medically underserved of service planning areas 6 & 8 in Los Angeles County, California. T.H.E. serves approximately 15,000 low-income patients annually, including a significant population of vulnerable individuals, such as People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This population is historically underserved as 95.52% of patients are below 200% of the federal poverty threshold, while the racial composition includes 55.97% Black/African American and 48.08% Latinx. The current demand for oral health services in the geographical location served by T.H.E. clearly outpaces the supply, as barriers such as low income and racial disparities of care prevent access to oral health care services, including the PLWHA population that T.H.E. provides medical services for. With the grant funding support, expansion of dental facilities will provide a new option for this population to receive oral health services in a culturally competent and affordable way, allowing T.H.E. to continue their mission of serving the most vulnerable populations in LA County. The proposed expansion will alleviate the substantial demand for oral health services in the region, particularly among PLWHA, who face multiple barriers to care due to low income and racial disparities. Currently, T.H.E.'s dental program serves 2,000 patients annually, with demand far exceeding capacity, evidenced by an over two-month long wait list. The expansion aims to provide an additional 4,300 visits per year, benefiting 1,000 new patients. The leadership team at T.H.E. includes Dr. Derrick Butler, T.H.E.'s Chief Medical Officer, who oversees HIV care services, including Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program initiatives and Dr. Santosh Sundaresan who oversees the Dental Program. The project aligns with T.H.E.'s mission to improve community health and well-being by expanding services in a financially sustainable manner. Grant funding will cover one-time startup costs, allowing T.H.E. to generate revenue through dental services and sustain operations beyond the grant period. The project's success will be monitored through key performance measures, including project milestones, volume of oral health visits, percentage of PLWHA receiving care, and referrals to HIV services. T.H.E. is committed to enhancing HIV care continuity by integrating dental services into their primary care setting, facilitating early HIV detection and retention in medical care. This initiative underscores the critical intersection between oral health and overall wellness for PLWHA, addressing gaps in care and contributing to broader public health goals. By expanding dental services, T.H.E. aims to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities among vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County.
