San Antonio to provide dental care to over 5,000 children

During the Sept. 4 meeting, San Antonio City Council approved two agreements to provide oral health assessments and preventive dental car services for children enrolled in Head Start programs from Sept. 1-Aug. 31, 2026.

In a nutshell

According to city documents, the agreements with Parent/Child Incorporated and AVANCE San Antonio are part of the Metropolitan Health District’s Oral Health program.

Through these agreements, Metro Health dentists will perform oral health evaluations and preventive care for over 5,000 children enrolled in Head Start, including up to two fluoride varnish applications. Additionally, Metro Health dental staff will provide case management services for uninsured or underinsured children who have urgent or unmet dental needs.

The dental care services are reserved for children ages 3 to 5 years old whose parents qualify for Head Start. Funding generated through these agreements will be used to reimburse services provided by Metro Health and will have no fiscal impact on the city’s general fund. Services will be provided on-site for children enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start, as well as on local Title I elementary school campuses.

The background

According to city documents, Metro Health’s Oral Health program provides care to nearly 17,000 children of low-income families a year.

Head Start is a federally funded program that provides full and part-time services such as day care, education, child development, nutrition and social services and health assessment.