During a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant updates regarding the kindergarten oral health assessment program and facility improvements within the health department.

The meeting began with a motion to amend the existing contract with Smile on Wheels, a partner in conducting oral health assessments in the community. The program has seen considerable success, with 813 assessments completed by the end of the third quarter. Notably, 125 of these assessments revealed untreated decay, with 13 cases classified as urgent, indicating a decay rate of approximately 23% in Jackson County. In response to the challenges of accessing dental services, the health department is seeking to enable Smile on Wheels to conduct Medicaid outreach, connecting families to necessary services. This initiative will be funded through state reimbursements for Medicaid services.

Following this discussion, the board moved on to address cosmetic updates within the health department's facilities. A proposal was made to approve the purchase and installation of new flooring, with a budget of $62,654 sourced from grant funding. This expenditure falls below the threshold requiring full board approval, allowing for a streamlined decision-making process. The flooring project is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the environment within the human service building.

The meeting concluded with a brief overview of the monthly report, which indicated that operations have been proceeding as usual, with no major disruptions reported.