Regence Caring Foundation for Children

Overview

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Regence Caring Foundation provides free dental care for low-income children in Idaho and Utah. The Regence Caring Foundation is sponsored and administered by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield of Idaho. Our mission is to provide crucial dental care and education to low-income, uninsured children.

Download a copy of our 2008 annual report

History

In 1992, BlueCross BlueShield of Utah introduced the Regence Caring Foundation as a health insurance plan for uninsured kids. It became an immediate success, providing free health insurance benefits to more than 5,000 children statewide.

After the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was established, the Regence Caring Foundation conducted research to determine the most prevalent health problem for children in Idaho and Utah. It showed that children in these states had not escaped a disturbing trend reported by the U.S. Surgeon General—that poor oral health has reached epidemic proportions in children, particularly those in low-income families.

This led the Regence Caring Foundation to begin focusing on dental care and education in 2000. Doing so helps fill a significant health care gap in our communities.

Goals and Philosophy

Our primary goal is to serve uninsured children in Idaho and Utah by preventing the most chronic childhood disease—dental caries (i.e., tooth decay). This health problem is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever, and yet it's left untreated in many low-income children.

Since oral disease and conditions are associated with other health problems, such as heart disease, we believe proper dental care should not be overlooked and that every child should have access to the care they need.

If you share this belief and would like to join us in serving the children in our communities, visit our donation page.