VNA Health Care gets federal grant to expand dental care in Aurora

Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Linnea Windel, president and CEO of VNA Health Care, recently announced that $350,000 in grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services will be awarded to VNA Health Care for the expansion of their oral health services.

"Oral health is an important part of our overall physical health and well-being," said Windel. "The funding awarded to VNA will reduce barriers to quality dental care and increase our capacity to serve those in need."

The area served by VNA Health Care experiences multiple barriers to care, including poor English language skills, high poverty rates and lack of insurance. There are no other providers in the service area that provide dental care on a sliding fee scale.

"A major aspect of providing quality healthcare is making sure everyone has access to oral health services as well," Foster said. "This funding will give VNA the ability to provide dental care to an additional 1,300 patients and provide resources to hire new dental professionals."

VNA will be able to add a fifth dental operatory to the dental clinic suite, located within VNA's health center at 400 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora. The grant also allows VNA to add full-time hygienist and an additional dentist as demand increases.

VNA Health Care provides affordable health care to 65,000 women, men and children living primarily in Kane, DuPage, and Will counties. VNA runs ten community health centers and is nationally ranked as a top performing health center as a result of patient outcomes such as prenatal care, adolescent weight screening and counseling, vascular disease treatment, blood pressure control, healthy birthweights, and asthma care. VNA's combination of convenience (by appointment or walk-in), patient-centered technology and expert care delivered with respect and compassion have led to these results. VNA is accredited by The Joint Commission. Visit