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By Mario A. Cortez
At a dental clinic located inside Fourth Avenue’s Serving Seniors center in downtown San Diego, Karen Becerra is fighting back against a silent epidemic affecting some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
“Many seniors are living with limited incomes and they are not able to access healthcare services. Why? Because they have to pay for rent food and medication.” Becerra said to La Prensa San Diego. “You don’t have to do the math to see that dentist appointments are unaffordable for them.”
A study by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute shows that approximately 67 percent of low income seniors did not visit a dentist in the last year. And with about 10,000 people in the United States turning 65 daily, the number of senior citizens with dental service needs keeps growing.
As director and CEO of the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center, Becerra has taken the lead in connecting seniors on a limited income to quality dental care. Since opening its doors two years ago, the dental center has provided affordable services to hundreds of seniors, allowing them to smile and live a healthier life.
To read the full article, please visit La Prensa San Diego
