Supes make priority of dental health, take aim at on-demand food delivery

San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston is pushing The City to consider ways to provide universal dental care for all residents.

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Preston called on the Budget and Legislative Analyst to report back to the board with a cost analysis for such a program.

Preston said:

“When you break a bone, health care is available to you. If you break your tooth, you’re on your own. This is the state of dental healthcare not just in San Francisco, but across the nation.”

Having untreated oral health issues can lead to pain, discomfort and serious health issues, Preston said:

“Not surprisingly, poor oral health continue to disproportionately affect low-income people, vulnerable communities and the already underserved.”

Preston’s office cited a study showing that 40 percent of the nation’s total dental care spending came from out-of-pocket expenses.

The topic of on-demand delivery services also surfaced during the board meeting. Supervisor Ahsha Safai, with support from Supervisor Aaron Peskin, called for a hearing to better understand the effects of companies such as Caviar and Door Dash on small businesses in The City.

Safai said:

“I have heard from countless small business owners that have talked about how the rates in which they’re being charged for these delivery services once they become part of their business model, are having a significant impact on their bottom line.”

The supervisor is requesting the Office of Small Business, the Office of Economic Workforce and Development, the Planning Department and the Office of Labor Standards to present data analyzing the impacts of delivery fees and food delivery app contract terms on San Francisco businesses and how they compare to fees and terms in other cities.

Additionally, Safai wants departments to look into how “ghost kitchens” or food facilities that solely prepare food for on-demand delivery services affect brick and mortar businesses.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.