Written by Antai Li
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
EL MONTE, Calif. – Students at Mountain View School District are smiling a little brighter this fall thanks to a renewed and formal partnership with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation (Tzu Chi Medical), which is bringing dental, vision and medical services directly onto school campuses.
The initiative launched Oct. 6 at Parkview School, the district’s largest campus, where Tzu Chi Medical’s mobile dental clinic transformed a classroom into a fully equipped treatment space. Students received exams, X-rays, cleanings and preventive care, including teeth sealants. Since opening day, more than 200 appointments have been held at just three of MVSD’s nine campuses, with more complex needs referred to Tzu Chi Medical’s South El Monte clinic.
Parents have praised the convenience and positive impact of the on-campus clinics. Several noted that children became more comfortable with dental visits after the experience.
Mobile clinics have expanded to Maxson Elementary and Twin Lakes School, with La Primaria Elementary scheduled to begin before the winter break. The districtwide effort removes common barriers to care, including transportation, work schedules and out-of-pocket costs.
Students are seen regardless of insurance coverage. Families with insurance may use their plans, while uninsured families receive assistance with enrollment or, when needed, services funded through MVSD’s Community Schools resources. Participating students receive a full assessment, and families receive written reports for follow-up care or more extensive treatment.
Superintendent Raymond Andry, Ed.D., said the partnership strengthens the district’s whole-child approach and aligns with California’s Community Schools Framework. “Bringing these services onto our campuses is going to have a huge impact,” Andry said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to removing barriers that affect student well-being, attendance and success. As a result, students will be healthier and their families can rest assured that with these and other vital supports, their children can come to school and focus on academic outcomes and become more confident in their abilities.”
The initiative is coordinated by the district’s Student & Family Support Services Department and supported at each campus by Community Schools Site Leads. Parkview Site Lead Rocio Centeno coordinated visits at the first school to participate and said family response was enthusiastic. “Our students can feel respect and
compassion in the way Tzu Chi Medical cares for them,” she said. “Tzu Chi Medical staff take time to explain
every step to the children and create a calm environment. It has been a wonderful partnership so far.”
Tzu Chi Medical emphasizes teaching students about dental and vision care and explaining procedures in age-appropriate ways to reduce anxiety and build trust.
“Caring for children means more than treating a toothache, checking their vision, or conducting a health check-up — it means nurturing lifelong habits that support their health, confidence, and well-being,” said Stephen Denq, MD, CEO of Tzu Chi Medical. “By bringing our services directly onto school campuses, we aim to remove barriers and empower students with preventive care that will serve them for years to come. We are truly grateful for this partnership and for the dedicated MVSD leadership and team who made it possible for the students.”
“Dental [care] awareness and [disease] prevention can have an immediate impact on a child’s oral health,” said Dr. Carol Liu, Dental Director. “Establishing proper oral hygiene and addressing dental issues early on can help maintain a child’s healthy smile over their lifetime.”
Tzu Chi Medical’s LA Mobile Clinic team includes Dr. Liu, Mobile Clinic Coordinator Clarence Yau, two dental assistants and a mobile clinic technician. At each school, a resource room is transformed into a state-of-the-art clinic. While Tzu Chi Medical has previously offered services at MVSD’s Family Center, this marks the first time in district history that students have received dental care on site at their home school.
The expanded services are funded through the $11.6 million California Community Schools Implementation Grant awarded to all MVSD schools. The investment supports integrated health, wellness and family services and strengthens the district’s commitment to educating and caring for the whole child and district families.
About the Mountain View School District
The Mountain View School District serves students in preschool through 8th grade and is dedicated to preparing today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders for success. Following their mission to inspire each student to succeed every day, they are strongly committed to supporting the academic, social and emotional growth and achievement of all students. School counselors and mental health partners are available at every school supporting the development of the whole child.
MVSD is proud to provide innovative learning experiences that prepare students to become problem solvers, critical thinkers, effective communicators and positive contributors to their community with programs like STEAM, Spanish Dual Immersion, AVID, Mandarin Enrichment, Visual and Performing Arts, Band, and a strong college bound culture, no-cost after school enrichment, care and instructional support, and comprehensive summer enrichment. MVSD is also proud to be one of the four Los Angeles County Disney Imagination Campus Districts. Visit mtviewschools.com to learn more.
About the Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
Since its establishment in 1993, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation (Tzu Chi Medical) has been dedicated to providing patient-centered primary care, vision, dental, and acupuncture services to uninsured and underinsured individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. Tzu Chi Medical operates three Tzu Chi Health Centers in California, located in Alhambra, South El Monte, and Wilmington. Designated as Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alikes, the Health Centers provide compassionate, high-quality care through multilingual teams committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of the communities served.
In addition, our LA Mobile Clinics extend Tzu Chi Medical’s reach by delivering essential healthcare directly to communities with limited access to medical services. Our Healthy Community Program also remains dedicated to advancing preventive healthcare practices across the populations we serve. While the Tzu Chi Health Centers focus on addressing acute and immediate health needs, the LA Mobile Clinics and Healthy Community Program emphasizes long-term wellness by raising health awareness and promoting sustainable, healthy lifestyles. Visit tzuchimedical.us to learn more.