Regence Caring Foundation for Children

Impact and Inspiration

Since we were established in 1992, the Regence Caring Foundation has made an investment of $6 million to provide more than 29,000 children in Idaho and Utah with free medical or dental care.

Here are some facts about what we accomplished in 2009:

• 2,879 low-income children in Utah and Idaho received free, comprehensive dental care services.
• An additional 1,335 children in Idaho received preventive services such as sealants.
• We educated more then 12,020 children about the importance of good oral health habits.
• We served children in 89 cities or towns in Idaho and 61 cities or towns in Utah.
• 60 percent of the enrolled children were Latino or Hispanic with few health care resources in their communities.
• 46 percent of the enrolled children were between five and 10 years old.
• 48 percent of the families with enrolled children earned only $25,000 (or less) per year.

Real life successes

Edgar and Emmanuel

From sports to art, 15-year-old twins Edgar and Emmanuel participate in everything together. But one thing neither of them could do was smile with confidence. In fact, the twins needed extensive restorative and preventive dental care when they enrolled in the Regence Caring Foundation's dental care services program in 2007. Through a partnership with Willamette Dental in Idaho, Edgar and Emmanuel have received free orthodontic care*. "I can see a huge difference," their mother said. "They didn't want to smile before because of their crooked teeth. Now they are very happy and have more confidence."

Rogelio

A boy who is characterized as "very brave and very strong," Rogelio tried to hide the tooth pain he was experiencing. When his mother asked him why he was no longer eating his favorite food, he replied that it was "just a toothache." However, a visit to the dentist revealed that Rogelio needed to have some teeth extracted. Financial issues prevented his family from proceeding with the extractions. His mother stated that "Problems with teeth seem like small things, but we found out how big they can be."

He eventually lost one tooth at school, but his teacher came to the rescue by connecting Rogelio's family with the Regence Caring Foundation. Within days, he was enrolled and had an appointment. He received treatment and is now living without infection and eating normally again. Rogelio's mother was so grateful for the treatment he received, she is now appealing to donors, "I know there are kids out there like my son who need dental care. Please help the Regence Caring Foundation continue their good work by making a donation today."

Arbin

When Arbin was first enrolled in the Regence Caring Foundation's dental care services program, he wasn't quite the healthy, happy teenager he is today. Arbin and his family, who live in Salt Lake City, are refugees from Kosovo, where Arbin never had the opportunity to visit the dentist. When his soccer coach, Paul, noticed that Arbin was complaining of severe tooth pain, he contacted the Regence Caring Foundation for assistance. Arbin was immediately enrolled as an emergency case, and after three dental appointments and comprehensive treatment for 12 cavities—at no cost to his family—his oral health has been restored. Paul said that he knows "we'll see Arbin smiling with far greater frequency... thank you for helping him."

Blade

"I couldn’t have done it without you!"

The sincere emotion behind these words welled up as 4-year-old Blade’s mother expressed her deep appreciation for the work of The Regence Caring Foundation for Children. Every day the Caring Foundation works to bring this kind of relief and help to parents and other caring adults who are struggling to provide vital dental care for their children. In Blade’s case, his mom tried for several months to take her son to the dentist. Because she was going to be required to pay in full for his treatment prior to any dental services being performed, she decided to postpone it until she could hopefully save the needed funds.

Meanwhile, dental decay continued to damage little Blade’s teeth and he was soon spending sleepless nights in pain, unable to eat hot or cold foods, because of his teeth’s sensitivity brought on by numerous cavities.

Desperate to help her son, Blade’s Mom knew she couldn’t wait any longer. She made an appointment with a second dentist, who by chance was also a Caring Foundation Provider. Then the office staff gave her the wonderful news: there was a program that could help cover the cost of the procedures. Without hesitation, she contacted the Caring Foundation, and we went to work to ensure that Blade got enrolled and was able to receive essential dental treatments, which included five fillings and two extractions.

What Blade’s mom received was even more — peace-of-mind and relief that her son would be well again and on the road to a lifetime of good dental health. "I feel so lucky to have found your program," she said. "Without the Caring Foundation Blade might not have been able to receive crucial dental care."

Through that crucial care, Blade is now a typical 4-year old, feeling happy, healthy, and most important of all, smiling (even with a toothless grin as he awaits his adult teeth) again.