Bakersfield CA Dentist Shares the NYC Partnership against Caries Project

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New York University College of Dentistry students received training through a meaningful local partnership. Foster care agency Graham Windham and the NYUCD came together to bring regular dental care to NYC's foster children. On Oct. 21 they presented an abstract called "An Approach to Dental Healthcare in an Inner-City Foster Care Population: The Partners Against Caries Program" to attendees of the American Academy of Pediatrics Conference.

Bakersfield, CA dentist Dr. Joseph Marvizi realizes the importance of dental care. Poor oral health can negatively affect how often children miss school and how they perform in school. It can also affect mental health and total body health.

Before the Partnership against Caries (PAC) program, foster kids in NYC traveled to different dentists for treatment and exams. In early 2011 the PAC program gave the kids a central location where NYUCD students treated foster children from infants to adulthood. The PAC program has provided dental care to more than 650 foster kids. Approximately 35 percent of foster children have dental problems that require care, according to Healthy Foster Care America.

The program also gives dental students a glimpse into the foster care system.

"The pediatric patients enjoy receiving care from the dental students, who are very engaged with the children," says study author Elizabeth Best. Best is the Outreach Program Administrator at NYUCD.

NYUCD students inspected the foster children for any underlying dental problems. They also cleaned patients' teeth, gave fluoride treatments to fortify teeth and taught families how to maintain good oral hygiene. Children that needed more complicated care were taken to other doctors for treatment.

"Our exciting partnership with the NYU College of Dentistry not only addresses a heretofore gap in this service, but also serves as an invaluable tool for the dental students – introducing them to a most vulnerable pediatric population," says Windham medical director Dr. Mitchell Rubin.

PAC program representatives hope their work inspires other communities to implement comparable programs across the nation. Bakersfield invisalign provider, Marvizi knows many children don't receive regular oral care. His team strives to build lasting relationships with patients while providing general and cosmetic care, including Invisalign and porcelain veneers.

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To learn more about oral health or other dentistry topics, visit www.apolloniadental.com/  or call 661-831-9024.

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Apollonia Dental Center builds lasting relationships with their patients. The staff provides outstanding oral care while monitoring patients for potential dental issues.

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SOURCE Apollonia Dental Center