Page 7 - 2024 GPS Mid-Year (English Publication)

Expanding Our Legacy

By: Dr. Tommie L. Smith

Exciting news for Galena Park ISD students and their
siblings, especially those who use our school-based
health clinics! The Almatha Clark Taylor (ACT) Health
Clinic/Legacy Community Health, which hosted a
ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly renovated facility
just over a year ago, is now expanding its services to
include dental care. The addition will provide students
with access to much-needed dental services, improving
not only their oral health but also their overall well-
being.

The ACT Health Clinic, which services GPISD Pre-K to Dental Clinic Grand Opening
12 grade students and their siblings with health-related
th
and behavioral health services, has been a tremendous asset to the school community. Regular
preventive dental care is essential for good oral health so one can find and address problems
earlier when they are easier to treat. With the addition of comprehensive pediatric dental care
at ACT, GPISD students and their siblings will now have access to dental exams, x-rays, routine
cleanings, extractions, fillings, and sealants.

Legacy is the largest federally qualified health clinic program in Texas, and GPISD is the first public
school district in Texas to have a Legacy dental clinic. This extension of services is a testament to
the success of all our school-based clinics as they completed approximately 75,000 wellness and
behavioral health visits for our students this past year. By providing comprehensive care at little to
no cost, the ACT Health Clinic is helping to ensure that students are healthy and ready to learn.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - DENTAL EXAM

As you prepare to make dental appointments for
GPISD students, let’s briefly test your dental knowledge:
How long should you brush your teeth?

a. 45 seconds
b. 90 seconds
c. 2 minutes

How many teeth does a human have?
a. 15
b. 25
c. 32

What’s a good age to start flossing your teeth yourself?

a. Age 8
b. Age 12
c. Age 76
Students Visit with Legacy Clinic Staff
(upside down at the bottom of the page) Answers: 1. c, 2. c, 3. a