KDA Today
KDA Today
For Immediate Release
Date: Feb 20th, 2014
Contact: Julie Heflin, Health Communications Coordinator, UofL Health Sciences Center
Phone: 800-292-1855
Email: info@kyda.org
UofL Brightening the Smiles of Children
The University of Louisville School of Dentistry is committed to providing the highest standard of care to one of Kentucky’s most vulnerable populations, our children.
In 2013, the UofL School of Dentistry opened a new office along with the UofL Department of Pediatrics at the Sam Swope Kosair Charities Centre, where children with disabilities and chronic health conditions and children from the community can get expert care from UofL dentists and pediatricians.
Through a charitable lease, Kosair Charities donated the rent amount over a five-year period, providing a combined 12,500 square feet of renovated space for the two clinics in the Kosair Charities headquarters building on Eastern Parkway. The university may opt to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms.
“We know good oral health is integral to overall health and wellness. Coordination of care is the future of health care in this country, and we are removing many of the logistical barriers for the children of the community,” said John Sauk, DDS, MS, dean of the UofL School of Dentistry.
This facility is making it easier for parents to have a medical-dental home for their children.
Last year, the UofL School of Dentistry also became engaged in a new community initiative, Care For Kids, with a goal of improving school readiness for at-risk Jefferson County Public School students by providing free oral exams and follow-up dental care, eye exams, health screenings and nutritional counseling. Other collaborators include Kosair Charities; Dawne Gee, WAVE 3; David James, Metro Council; and the UofL Department of Pediatrics. The inaugural program is underway at Wheatley Elementary School, with a goal of expanding it to other JCPS schools in the future.
Since the inception of Smile Kentucky!, the UofL School of Dentistry has been a part of this community partnership that provides dental education, screenings and treatment to children in Louisville and surrounding counties. It complements a national effort by the American Dental Association, Give Kids a Smile. The program includes over 50 partners and since 2002 has provided over $1 million dollars of free dentistry. The education program is now part of a statewide effort. The American Dental Association calls Smile Kentucky! a model for community partnerships.
Each year, UofL dental and dental hygiene students also take their efforts on the road to provide education, exams and dental treatment for children and adults throughout Kentucky. In 2013, they joined with faculty and other dental professional to provide free dental cleanings, fillings and extractions to children and adults in and around Harlan County, Ky. The mission is organized through Remote Area Medical (RAM), a non-profit organization that serves people in rural areas of the United States and around the world.
The UofL School of Dentistry has been involved in RAM events since 2005. Faculty, alumni and students have volunteered their time in numerous regions including Wise, Va., Pikeville, Ky., Somerset, Ky., Bristol, Tenn. and Knoxville, Tenn.
“The dental school is making a difference throughout the state as we fulfill our mission of community engagement,” said John Sauk, DDS, MS, dean, UofL School of Dentistry. “The students gain so much from these RAM experiences – including an understanding of barriers to oral health care.”
Finally, dental and dental hygiene students are making a difference for children through their participation in community health fairs, and by providing oral health education and oral exams at local schools. For example, each year DMD freshmen take part in a project on or near Halloween. As a part of this initiative, UofL has provided more than 25,000 children with free oral health education since 2003. The children learn about candy in the decay process, enjoy a visit from a costumed mascot and receive a free tooth brush and toothpaste.
These are all just a few of the ways UofL School of Dentistry is improving the smiles of children!
UofL Brightening the Smiles of Children
The University of Louisville School of Dentistry is committed to providing the highest standard of care to one of Kentucky’s most vulnerable populations, our children.
In 2013, the UofL School of Dentistry opened a new office along with the UofL Department of Pediatrics at the Sam Swope Kosair Charities Centre, where children with disabilities and chronic health conditions and children from the community can get expert care from UofL dentists and pediatricians.
Through a charitable lease, Kosair Charities donated the rent amount over a five-year period, providing a combined 12,500 square feet of renovated space for the two clinics in the Kosair Charities headquarters building on Eastern Parkway. The university may opt to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms.
“We know good oral health is integral to overall health and wellness. Coordination of care is the future of health care in this country, and we are removing many of the logistical barriers for the children of the community,” said John Sauk, DDS, MS, dean of the UofL School of Dentistry.
This facility is making it easier for parents to have a medical-dental home for their children.
Last year, the UofL School of Dentistry also became engaged in a new community initiative, Care For Kids, with a goal of improving school readiness for at-risk Jefferson County Public School students by providing free oral exams and follow-up dental care, eye exams, health screenings and nutritional counseling. Other collaborators include Kosair Charities; Dawne Gee, WAVE 3; David James, Metro Council; and the UofL Department of Pediatrics. The inaugural program is underway at Wheatley Elementary School, with a goal of expanding it to other JCPS schools in the future.
Since the inception of Smile Kentucky!, the UofL School of Dentistry has been a part of this community partnership that provides dental education, screenings and treatment to children in Louisville and surrounding counties. It complements a national effort by the American Dental Association, Give Kids a Smile. The program includes over 50 partners and since 2002 has provided over $1 million dollars of free dentistry. The education program is now part of a statewide effort. The American Dental Association calls Smile Kentucky! a model for community partnerships.
Each year, UofL dental and dental hygiene students also take their efforts on the road to provide education, exams and dental treatment for children and adults throughout Kentucky. In 2013, they joined with faculty and other dental professional to provide free dental cleanings, fillings and extractions to children and adults in and around Harlan County, Ky. The mission is organized through Remote Area Medical (RAM), a non-profit organization that serves people in rural areas of the United States and around the world.
The UofL School of Dentistry has been involved in RAM events since 2005. Faculty, alumni and students have volunteered their time in numerous regions including Wise, Va., Pikeville, Ky., Somerset, Ky., Bristol, Tenn. and Knoxville, Tenn.
“The dental school is making a difference throughout the state as we fulfill our mission of community engagement,” said John Sauk, DDS, MS, dean, UofL School of Dentistry. “The students gain so much from these RAM experiences – including an understanding of barriers to oral health care.”
Finally, dental and dental hygiene students are making a difference for children through their participation in community health fairs, and by providing oral health education and oral exams at local schools. For example, each year DMD freshmen take part in a project on or near Halloween. As a part of this initiative, UofL has provided more than 25,000 children with free oral health education since 2003. The children learn about candy in the decay process, enjoy a visit from a costumed mascot and receive a free tooth brush and toothpaste.
These are all just a few of the ways UofL School of Dentistry is improving the smiles of children!