Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the San Luis Valley (SLV) and connect with local nonprofits working to address pressing challenges in education and health care. One area of concern, particularly in rural communities like the SLV, is the shortage of dental care providers and the challenges residents face in accessing these essential services.
The San Luis Valley is known for its vast, beautiful landscapes, but it is also a region deeply underserved in terms of health care. Valley-Wide Health Systems, a key provider in the region, has oral health care appointments booked up to a year in advance, and many dental practices do not accept Medicaid or Medicare. Residents in rural areas like Rio Grande County face the added burden of having to travel long distances, sometimes to Pueblo, for specialized dental care, consuming an entire day of travel.
These challenges leave many residents, especially children, without regular access to oral health services. Local organizations, however, are stepping in to fill the gap. Valley-Wide Health Systems Inc, Front Line Farming, Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, Rio Grande Child Development & Family Services, La Puente Home Inc., and the Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF) are providing essential oral health education, preventive care kits, and supporting families in overcoming barriers such as transportation and insurance limitations.
Amid these challenges, the Latin American Educational Foundation is growing its presence in the San Luis Valley and encouraging students to pursue careers in oral health. Founded in 1949, LAEF celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024 and has increasingly focused its efforts on empowering students from underserved communities across Colorado to access higher education.
As a Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation grantee, LAEF honed in on supporting students in the SLV interested in pursuing careers in dental care in 2023. Within the SLV, the program started with five students pursuing oral health careers, and by 2024, this number grew to 11. Most LAEF scholars from the San Luis Valley are beginning their educational journeys in dental assisting at Trinidad State College, some are taking their pre-requisite courses at Adams State University and moving on to earn bachelor’s degrees at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). For some students, their ultimate goal is attending dental school. All of these students in the oral pathway would like to pay it forward and give back in the San Luis Valley to address the region’s significant dental care shortage.
In 2024, LAEF opened a physical office in Alamosa, increasing its presence and support for students in the SLV. Approximately 31% of LAEF scholars come from rural areas, with many being from the SLV. Beyond scholarships, LAEF is committed to directly engaging with local students through events like Career Days throughout various locations in the SLV where students can explore potential careers in health fields, including dental care.
One of LAEF’s key collaborations is with BGCSLV, which works with youth outside of school hours. By partnering with BGCSLV’s HEAL program, LAEF is helping students explore health careers, including those in oral health. Through programs like the Oral Health Olympics, LAEF provides experiential learning opportunities that introduce students to health professions and inspire them to pursue careers that can make a lasting difference in the SLV.
The work being done by LAEF in the SLV is not only addressing immediate educational needs but also helping to build a sustainable pipeline of health professionals who can serve the region long into the future. As the SLV continues to face challenges in access to care, LAEF’s commitment to educating and mentoring the next generation of oral health providers offers hope for a healthier, more equitable future for this underserved community.
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