McDonald House grant to Free Clinic means dental care for children

Bagley Downs — The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington received a $7,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington to provide free oral health care to children of low-income Clark County families this year. Clinic executive director Barbe West said the clinic’s dental program provided 1,261 children with screenings, restorative work, sealants and fluoride treatments in 2012. Most but not all children qualify for Medicaid oral health services, she said, so the grant will help the clinic continue this work. Ronald McDonald House grants are partially underwritten by the coins dropped into donation boxes at McDonald’s restaurants.