The Risk Is Not Knowing
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San Fernando Community Health Center Receives $100,000 Delta Dental Community Care Foundation Grant
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San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) has received a $100,000 grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California, to improve access to quality oral healthcare for underserved individuals and families in the San Fernando Valley.
Since 2011, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation has worked closely with local partners to increase access to care, address health disparities, advance health equity and promote innovation in the oral health field. Effective August 1, the grant will support SFCHC’s dental services during the 2026-2027 award period and focus on populations with unmet oral health needs, including those managing chronic health conditions.
The funding will strengthen dental care at two locations operated by SFCHC, which has served as a healthcare home for the community for the past century. Founded in 1924, SFCHC’s main campus in San Fernando provides comprehensive dental, medical, behavioral health and education services. Its Panorama City satellite clinic, opened in January 2026, extends primary and dental care to residents of the Corazón del Valle affordable housing community and surrounding neighborhoods.
“Delta Dental Community Care Foundation has been an important partner in helping us make quality, compassionate dental care available to the most vulnerable and underserved members of our community,” said SFCHC Chief Executive Officer Audrey Simons. “We are deeply grateful for this generous grant, which will strengthen our work at both locations and help more people receive the preventive and restorative care they need to protect their oral and overall health.”
As a federally qualified health center, SFCHC integrates dental care with primary care and behavioral health services to support the well-being of the whole person. Its dental team also helps patients understand the importance of routine and preventive care, and the connection between oral health and chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Millions of people nationwide live in communities without enough dentists to meet local needs. Financial, insurance, transportation and other barriers can make care even more difficult to access, particularly for low-income and unhoused patients. SFCHC helps reduce these barriers by providing services regardless of income, insurance status or ability to pay.
In 2025, SFCHC’s dental department served 2,960 patients through 9,992 visits. The most frequently provided services include cleanings, deep cleanings, fillings and removable partial and complete dentures, followed by extractions, crowns and root canals.
The grant follows SFCHC’s recent recognition as a Best of the San Fernando Valley 2026 winner by the San Fernando Valley Sun in two categories: Best Dental Practice and Best Hospital or Medical Center. The recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects SFCHC’s community-based approach to providing a broad range of health services to those most in need.
This year’s Access to Care Grants demonstrates the ongoing commitment by Delta Community Care Foundation and its partners to making the communities they serve stronger, healthier and more resilient.
About San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC)
San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) has been a trusted, patient-centered healthcare home for the community since 1924 and is proud to celebrate 100 years of service. Its designation as a federally qualified health center allows it to provide state-of-the-art healthcare services, prevention and education regardless of income, insurance status or ability to pay. SFCHC’s main campus is located at 732 Mott St., Suites 100-110, San Fernando, CA 91340, and its new satellite clinic is located at 14533 Lanark St., Suite 120, Panorama City, CA 91402, within the Corazón del Valle affordable housing community.
About the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies, including Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania and Delta Dental of New York, Inc. Since 2011, the Community Care Foundation has awarded more than $170 million in funding and support to increase access to quality dental care, oral health education and to advance scientific research across the company’s 15-state service area and Washington, D.C. For more information about the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, please visit https://www1.deltadentalins.com/foundation.html
About Delta Dental of California and Affiliates
Since 1955, Delta Dental of California and Affiliates has offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care coverage to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California enterprise includes its affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., as well as the national DeltaCare USA network, and provides dental benefits to more than 27 million people across 15 states and the District of Columbia*. All are members of the Delta Dental Plans Association based in Chicago, Illinois, the not-for-profit national association that through a national network of Delta Dental companies collectively covers millions of people nationwide. Delta Dental is a registered trademark of Delta Dental Plans Association. For more information about Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, please visit www.deltadentalins.com
*Delta Dental of California’s operating areas encompass Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
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