Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation Receives $25,000 for Oncology Dental Care Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2022) – The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, on behalf of CHI Saint Joseph Health’s oncology dental care program, has received a $25,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation to help improve the oral health of local cancer patients.

The grant will support CHI Saint Joseph Health’s oncology dental care program, which helps patients who are currently undergoing, or need to begin, cancer treatment, but their oral health has either suffered or prevented them from receiving the treatment. This program also provides patients with financial assistance for dental exams, extractions, X-rays, implants and more to ensure dental health.

“When our cancer patients are receiving treatment, we want to provide resources and help alleviate as much stress as possible,” said Leslie Smart, CFRE, president, CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations. “Thanks to this funding from the Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation, we will be able to help our patients who experience oral side effects from cancer treatment.”

Chemotherapy and radiation can cause oral complications such as inflammation and ulcers, nerve damage, tooth decay, gum disease, mouth pain and other issues. Patients receiving cancer treatment are at higher risk for developing these issues due to the chemotherapy or radiation stopping or slowing down the growth of new cells, upsetting the healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth, and directly damaging oral tissue, salivary glands, and bone, according to the National Cancer Institute.

To learn more about the CHI Saint Joseph Health’s cancer care program, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/lexington-cancer-care. 

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph Hospital 

Saint Joseph Hospital is a 433-bed hospital located in Lexington, Kentucky. Established in 1877 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky, the facility serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky and is a nationally recognized tertiary medical center. Saint Joseph Hospital is Lexington’s first hospital. The hospital’s original mission was to provide compassionate care to the poor and underserved – a tradition still carried out today.

About Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation

Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation supports CHI Saint Joseph Health’s drive for excellence by inspiring donors to make a tangible difference through their philanthropic investment in outstanding patient care facilities and services, the education of caregivers, advanced clinical research and improved access to quality medical care.

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