The Hawaii Medical Service Association is providing a $100,000 emergency grant to a mobile dental services on wheels program that provides dental services in West Hawai'i.

The money will allow the Mobile Care Health Project to continue operation despite a loss of state funding, HMSA said. It noted the van it is the only option for dental care for many people without dental insurance on the west side of the Big Island.

The Mobile Care Health Project is a partnership between the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaii's Office for Social Ministry and St. Francis Community Health Services.