ORU Funds Dental Care for 25 Little Axe Residents via MobileSmiles

By Brianna Wall

The OEC Foundation, Inc. board of directors struck up a unique and much needed partnership in 2018 with the Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency (COCAA) and Oklahoma Dental Foundation. As a result, it has helped scores of residents across OEC's service area without adequate insurance receive the dental care they need via the MobileSmiles program. In November, 25 Little Axe patients were the latest recipients.

"Poor dental health is a precursor to other more serious health problems. But dental care is so expensive that people go without until there is a problem,” said Education and Outreach Coordinator Tory Tedder-Loffland. “Through the Operation Round Up ® (ORU) grant funding the MobilesSmiles unit for two days in Little Axe, we provided much needed care valued between $5,988.56 (with SoonerCare) and $17,965.68 (via private pay).”

Since sponsoring the first MobileSmiles event in June in partnership with COCAA, ORU grants have funded six MobileSmiles units in Norman and Little Axe with another scheduled in Moore for 2019. Data is still being collected from two units in Lexington.

A total of 68 patients have received care thanks to $6,000 in donations from the OEC Foundation. That $6,000 has covered dental costs that would range from $45,000 to $60,000 at a private practice.

"Because of the generosity of 85 percent of OEC's members, these types of events can take place that have a large impact in our communities," said Tedder-Loffland.

ORU contributions are tax deductible. Look on your December statement for your total 2018 contribution. Additional contributions can be made by addressing a check to OEC Foundation. You will receive a receipt validating your tax-deductible contribution. [3016421733]

Applications — individual and organizational — are available at www.okcoop. org/ORU. At press time, the date of the next meeting and application deadline have not been announced. Visit www.okcoop.org/ORU in the coming days or contact Tory at ORU@okcoop.org if you have questions about the application process or the ORU program.