POHAP Dentists Treat More Than 70,000 Children!

Over the past six years, the CDA Foundation’s Pediatric Oral Health Access Program, or POHAP, has successfully trained more than 360 general practitioners to increase their knowledge and skill level in treating children.

POHAP, which falls under the Foundation’s Direct Programs for the Underserved, successfully increased children’s access to dental care throughout 39 counties in California by providing care to more than 70,000 children 12 years old or younger, equating to more than $28,000,000 in treatment, and $3,500,000 in pro bono services.

POHAP participants report that after the training, they felt much more comfortable treating young children, and have subsequently expanded their practices to include more children.  In fact, one participant, Dr. Andrew Chen reported a 40% increase in children seen at Chico Family Dentistry as a result of his POHAP training.

Another POHAP paricipant, Dr. Franklin Woo, chief dentist with the Solano County Health & Social Services Department,  not only changed his dental practice, but also his philosophy regarding caring for the underserved in Solano County. “My confidence in treating children changed dramatically after taking the POHAP training. What I appreciated most about the course work was that it was very practical (rather than theoretical) so I could quickly utilize the information and techniques to treat children in the clinic immediately. Also, as a direct result of POHAP training, the Solano County dental clinic now provides oral hygiene instruction, dental screenings and fluoride treatments to children seen at the county WIC (Women, Infant, Children) office of Fairfield.”

The CDA Foundation is implementing a POHAP training in Southern California this Fall for dentists practicing in safety-net clinics.  For more information please call 800.232.7645 ext. 4921.