Seven Health Resources and Services Administration health centers in Tennessee have been awarded $2.5 million to expand their oral health services.
HRSA health centers have been public and private non-profit health care organizations that serve a needy population with fees adjusted based on the patients' ability to pay.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department announced the award Thursday. It was part of a $156 million award nationwide. Overall the grants were set to allow the centers to hire enough new dentists and assistants to treat nearly 785,000 new patients.
HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae said in a statement the agency has been continuing to explore ways to integrate oral health into primary care. The agency has also been working to increase awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health.
