A new school-based health clinic opened to the community in South Los Angeles on Monday.
The UMMA Health-run clinic, located on the second floor of the Locke Early Education Center, offers medical exams, immunizations, and dental and vision care.
“We are bringing it for free at no cost to our families and even at no cost to our district,” Dr. Smita Malhotra, Chief Medical Director of the Los Angeles Unified School District, told KNX News’ Karen Adams.
Charletha Robinson, principal at Locke Early Education Center, stressed the importance of students having direct access to medical care and dental care.
“So we have had a moment where we've taken the kids upstairs and they had to have to take a picture of their teeth so they can talk to the parents about the need for further dental care, proper brushing, flossing, and those things,” she said.
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Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho added that services like these keep kids in the classroom.
“To reduce chronic absenteeism by 50%, improve average daily attendance back to pre-pandemic levels, and the academic improvements followed,” he said. “Healthy kids are better learners.”
The center is open Monday through Friday.
The district has 19 wellness centers and about 17 school-based health centers. Three of them are now run by UMMA Health.
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