DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
1115 Waiver Contract with the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance will authorize an agreement with the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio on behalf of its Dental School (UTHSCSA) to develop and implement a new community-based rotation for dental students focusing on the delivery of dental sealants and fluoride varnish in a school-based setting. The proposed agreement is for an amount up to $510,000.00, commencing March 30, 2014 and terminating on September 30, 2016, subject to and contingent upon Medicaid 1115 Waiver funding.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On January 31, 2013, City Council authorized the submission of six project proposals by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) through the Regional Healthcare Partnership Anchor entity, University Health System for consideration and funding in the amount of $43,392,942.00 through the new Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) arm of the "Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program" or "Transformation Waiver". Metro Health carefully selected projects in the following areas: diabetes prevention, children's oral health services, HIV and Syphilis prevention, breastfeeding promotion, teen pregnancy prevention and neighborhood health promotion. All six project proposals are in alignment with Metro Health's strategic plan and many community goals set forth by SA2020 and have the overall goal of improving health outcomes.
Since 1975 Metro Health's Oral Health Program has worked in partnership with the UTHSCSA Dental School to provide opportunities for service learning activities for students in public health settings. Beginning in the spring semester of 2014, all of UTHSCSA's second year dental students will gain hands-on experience working with underserved children through the Metro Health school-based sealant program. In addition to gaining experience in delivery of preventive dental services, the student rotation also aims to broaden the student's perspective on the importance of improving access to oral health services through evidence-based alternative delivery models.
Authorization of this agreement will allow Metro Health to provide funding to UTHSCSA to develop and implement a new community-based rotation for dental students focusing on the delivery of dental sealants in a school-based setting. This agreement is subject to and contingent upon Medicaid 1115 Waiver funding.
ISSUE:
Metro Health is requesting City Council approve an ordinance authorizing an agreement with UTHSCSA to develop and implement a new community-based rotation for dental students focusing on the delivery of dental sealants in a school-based setting for an amount up to $510,000.00 commencing March 30, 2014 and terminating on September 30, 2016.
Authorization of this agreement will allow Metro Health to move forward with the implementation of goals set forth in our department strategic plan and Medicaid 1115 Waiver children's oral health services project.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the contract not be approved, Metro Health will be unable move forward with its plan for March implementation a new community-based rotation for UTHSCSA dental students for the delivery of dental sealants and fluoride varnish in a school-based setting in San Antonio and will be unable to meet deliverables set forth in the Medicaid 1115 Waiver project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization of an agreement with UTHSCSA to deliver preventive dental services through its school-based sealant program by undertaking and staffing 68 clinic sessions in coordination with Metro Health's Oral Health Program for an amount up to $510,000.00 commencing March 30, 2014 and terminating on September 30, 2016.
Funds will be appropriated annually, by fiscal year, and expenditures for the delivery of dental sealants are estimated as follows: $90,000.00 in FY 2014; $225,000.00 in FY 2015, and $195,000.00 in FY 2016. The combined cost will not exceed $510,000.00 over the term of the project. Funding for this agreement is available and budgeted within Metro Health's Medicaid 1115 Waiver fund and there will be no impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an agreement with UTHSCSA to develop and implement a new community-based rotation for dental students focusing on the delivery of dental sealants in a school-based setting for an amount up to $510,000.00 commencing March 30, 2014 and terminating on September 30, 2016, subject to and contingent upon Medicaid 1115 Waiver funding. Authorization of this agreement will allow Metro Health to move forward with the implementation of goals set forth in the department strategic plan and Medicaid 1115 Waiver oral health project.