Sarah Bush Lincoln Dental Services earned a 2024 Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Quality Standards Program.
By self-attesting that the organization has certain policies and procedures in place, it is able to highlight its commitment to providing quality care to patients. The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinic's mission is building healthy communities for all through quality, equitable, accessible healthcare. The NAFC and its members are dedicated to ensuring that patients receive access to quality healthcare. To quantify and qualify the care provided at the Free and Charitable Clinic network, the NAFC formalized a set of quality standards for member organizations.
Sarah Bush Lincoln Dental Services serves about 4,000 children throughout its 10-county service area by providing preventive and restorative dental care to children who are eligible for the free or reduced school lunch programs.
The SBL dental team visits 61 schools throughout the region and serves 2,165 children on its mobile dental bus. It also provides restorative care in its dental clinic in Mattoon and through a network of volunteer dentists throughout the region. Last year, some 8,747 procedures were provided, with a focus on preventive care. It is estimated that the value of the services provided to children seen in the schools was $279,978 with 52 percent of the children having four or more cavities.
SBL Healthy Communities Director Laura Bollan said, “We’re honored to receive the Gold rating from NAFC. Our team is dedicated to improving the oral health of our youngest clients and we know that by providing these services, we can affect significant change in the lives of children. When they don’t have oral pain, they perform better in school and have improved self-esteem. This is such rewarding work!”
NAFC members voluntarily submit information to the NAFC on the various policies and procedures in place to attain their standards rating and attest/pledge that they successfully incorporate these standards within their organization. NAFC quality standards elements include policies and procedures related to the following areas: administrative, clinic/pharmacy responsibilities, credentialing and privileging systems, patient care, and risk management systems.
For more information on the NAFC, please visit www.nafcclinics.org. For information of SBL Dental Services call 217 235-0800.