The Regence Caring Foundation for Children, Inc., operates exclusively for the benefit of children in need of appropriate dental care. We engage in activities designed to improve access, awareness and availability of children’s dental care.

Description:
The lack of access to appropriate dental care is the most critical issue facing Utah and Idaho children. Although it remains a relatively silent issue, studies indicate the problem has reached epidemic proportions. The Caring Foundation is trying to remedy this widespread problem, helping Utah and Idaho kids become healthy, strong members of our communities.

Children who qualify for the program must meet family income guidelines, must be 17 years old or younger, attend school, and be ineligible for Medicaid and CHIP. Once enrolled, they may receive covered services that include initial comprehensive oral exam, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, space maintainers, fillings, extractions, therapeutic pulpotomy and stainless steel crowns.

It is estimated that at least 100,000 children in Idaho and Utah have no dental insurance. The parents of these children generally work and have health insurance, which disqualifies them for CHIP or any other form of government assistance. These are the working poor who simply cannot afford the additional cost of dental coverage.

History:
In 1992, BlueCross BlueShield of Utah introduced the Caring Foundation as a health insurance plan for uninsured kids throughout the State of Utah. The Foundation was an instant success and over the next five years provided crucial health insurance benefits to more than 5,000 children from every corner of the state. The program was such a success that United States Senator Orrin G. Hatch used the Caring Foundation as a model to develop the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which today is a federally funded program covering more than 3 million children nationwide.

Contact person: Intake Line, (801) 972- KIDS (5437)
Main office number: (888) 589-5437
Office fax number: (801) 333-6563

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Address:

P.O. Box 25185 Salt Lake City, UT 84125

Web Site: http://www.caringfoundationforchildren.org/index.html

Miscellaneous Information

Funding

The Regence Caring Foundation for Children is a registered 501(c)(3) organization funded by tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations, civic groups, religious organizations and other non-profit foundations. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield of Idaho sponsor and administer the Caring Foundation free of charge, allowing one hundred percent of all donations to help low-income children. It is because of this strong community commitment that we are able to make a difference in so many children’s lives.