The District of Columbia is at high risk for oral disease. Data shows a need for the implementation of fluoride varnish in both high-risk patients and young children.

The outpatient clinic of Georgetown University School of Medicine is a general pediatric practice in a private non-profit academic institution. It houses several general pediatricians with multiple specialties, including adolescent medicine and community pediatrics. In response to health disparities in underserved populations, the department has the following outreach programs: Kids Mobile Medical clinic, HOYA Clinic, and Casidy Clinic (Clinic for the Deaf) in the urban underserved and multicultural Washington, DC community.

KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic drives to 6 sites located in the most disenfranchised District of Columbia neighborhoods each week. Three of the sites are located near 5 public housing communities, which are home to an estimated 2000 children in need of services. The fourth and fifth sites serve 2 public high schools with an additional 1500 students. The sixth site is located at Families Forward Emergency Shelter, an Emergency Family Shelter at DC General, and cares for more than 125 children each month in need of health services.

The HOYA clinic for the homeless is designed to operate as a student-run clinic. The medical students are formed into committees and do the work of organizing and administering the clinic.

The clinic has been interested in helping with the early establishment of a medical/dental home since 2006. With the 2008 recommendation and the training to educate our institution, it is necessary to implement this recommendation and work towards the establishment of a medical/ dental home in the first year of life. Unfortunately, there are not enough dentists available in our area to establish a medical/dental home for all patients. However, primary care providers have proven in various settings that they can provide preventive oral health services for our patients.