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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Pride Bite: Oral Health America Provides $25,000 Grant to NSU’s College of Dental Medicine
Smiles Across America® (SAA), an Oral Health America (OHA) program, is pleased to welcome the Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Dental Medicine to the SAA network to provide sealants to children enrolled in North Miami School District. OHA will support NSU with $25,000 in grant funding to increase access to prevention oral health services in children during the 2014-2015 school year.
“Nova Southeastern University increased access to preventative oral healthcare in North Miami, providing approximately 40% of children served with additional care. We are happy to welcome NSU to the SAA network of 304 program partners and help them build capacity to reach even more children,” said OHA President and CEO Beth Truett.
More than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness (the number one reason for missed school days). Missed school days become lost opportunities to advance academically, and of course pain hampers the ability to learn and develop socially. This is particularly important in Florida because only 18.8% of children enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP received a preventive dental service in 2012.
NSU’s College of Dental Medicine provides preventive oral health services to 2nd and 6th grade children in the North Miami area schools. In the 2013-2014 school year, approximately 700 children received treatment. Through this program, preventative treatment is provided in the school, and if the child is identified in need of further restorative treatment, depending on the program, the child is referred to one of NSU’s dental clinics or a provider in the area.
Additionally, through a new program, NSU’s College of Dental Medicine trains the medical staff in the Miami-Dade school district on oral health, and to provide a fluoride varnish for Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd grade students. This has the potential to impact 30,000 children in Miami-Dade County.
“NSU’s College of Dental Medicine is very excited to expand our programs that bring much-needed oral health services to children in Miami-Dade County, and in particular, the North Miami area,” said Ana Karina Mascarenhas, B.D.S., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., associate dean of research and project director of these programs at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine. “We thank Oral Health America and all of our partners for their continued support of our programs.”
OHA will formally celebrate the partnership with NSU’s College of Dental Medicine on Wednesday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fulford Elementary School in Art Room 179 located at 16140 Northeast 18th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33162. Representatives from NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, including Dean Linda C. Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P., and Oral Health America President & CEO Beth Truett will make remarks.