SACRAMENTO – (October 25, 2011) – Halloween, and all of its sweet treats, is just around the corner and many parents are concerned about their children’s dental health. In addition to being concerned about their kids’ dental health, there are a surprising number of parents concerned about whether not they can afford dental care for their kids. Californians for Patient Care reminds all Californians, especially those without adequate dental insurance, that there are hundreds of no- and low-cost dental care providers in California. Californians for Patient Care can connect you to these resources through its online tool called MyHealthResource. The online tool, the only one of its kind in California, is free and confidential.

“With Halloween less than a week away, we are reminded how important it is for kids to achieve and maintain good dental health,” said Carmella Gutierrez, president of Californians for Patient Care. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that tooth decay affects children in the U.S. more than any other infectious disease. It can also be related to poor digestion, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory diseases. Californians for Patient Care can help them find resources right in their own communities that provide dental care services at minimal or no cost.”

People can access the MyHealthResource guide by clicking on the blue button at www.calpatientcare.org.  After typing in basic search information such as city or county and category of resource, Californians can find a comprehensive list of local healthcare providers that provide primary, dental and mental healthcare services to the uninsured and underinsured.

Along with information on local dental care and healthcare service providers, Californians for Patient Care also provides information on chronic disease management, how to shop for health insurance, information on new research studies, and links to helpful organizations and websites.

“Nearly one in five children in the U.S. has untreated cavities,” said Gutierrez. “But it doesn’t have to be that way for Californians who don’t have insurance. We encourage all Californians, especially children, to get the preventive dental care they need, so that they can avoid the pain and cost that poor dental health can bring.”

Californians for Patient Care is a nonprofit organization based in Sacramento dedicated to protecting the interests of patients and ensuring all California consumers have fair and equitable access to high quality healthcare. For more information, visit www.calpatientcare.org.