Any Chilton County residents in poverty level programs such as food stamps will now have an opportunity for a routine dental checkup and teeth cleaning.

This is made possible after the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center received a CAWACO grant that will be used for preventive dentistry.

The selection of those eligible will not only be accepted from federal programs, but consideration will also be given to those referred by social service agencies, such as churches.

“We paint with a pretty broad brush when it comes to accompanying those in need,” said Terry Collier, Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center executive director.

CAWACO is a resource conservation and development council that oversees the Central Alabama counties of Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker.

According to Collier, the center originally asked for $4,500 but to this point has been given $1,040 to test interest for the initiative.

The funds will cover up to $130 for one cleaning procedure and checkup.

“So far we haven’t seen as much excitement to it as we thought there would be,” Collier said.

According to Collier, the grant was approved in October 2015, and the program started with the new year in January.

The Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center has a dental program in place, but it only covers extractions.

Collier believes the need is there, but the next step is to make people aware of the opportunities that exist.

“We have to spend the money to get the money,” Collier said.

Residents that have been living in Chilton County for at least three months are eligible to take advantage of the grant. Adults and children will both be accepted for cleanings.

The grant provides an outlet for residents, who were previously under Medicaid but are no longer eligible after turning 19 years old.

Dental vouchers are available to be picked up after filling out of an application at the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center located at 502 Enterprise Road in Clanton.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and closed each day for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

No appointments are necessary, and the vouchers will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis

There are about four local dentists that will accept the vouchers and the center will direct residents to them.

“This is definitely a valuable program,” Collier said. “Some may have never had a cleaning before. It just makes sense.”