Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children Awards Five Access to Care Grants

The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Recognizes Organizations Providing Oral Health Care Access to Children in Need

NEW YORK, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children (HSHC), the Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), awarded five Access to Care Grants to organizations that supported local service initiatives and provided oral health care to underserved children and/or children with limited access to care. HSHC announced its Access to Care Grant awardees, each receiving up to $20,000, during the AAPD's 64th Annual Session at the Hilton New York Hotel on Friday, May 27th.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100702/HSHCLOGO)

Access to Care Grants were awarded to: the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine's (CDM) Community DentCare program (New York), Desert Mission, Inc.'s Dental Care Expansion to Serve More Children in Need (Arizona), the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California's (USC) Homeless Children's Oral Health program (California), the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics' Bright Smiles from Birth program (Illinois), and New York University's The ABC's of Early Childhood Oral Health for Rural Practitioners (New York).

This year, HSHC doubled its receipt of applications to more than 130 for the five 2011 Access to Care Grants, which will be used to help awardees expand their reach within the community, including funding tools and instruments, patient and parent education materials, take-home supplies such as toothbrushes and toothpaste and outreach efforts to recruit dentists to participate in program activities.

Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, and is still the major cause of tooth loss in children.  About 25 percent of our nation's children have nearly 80 percent of the cavities. Who is at risk? Children who are recent immigrants to the U.S.; children in non-fluoridated communities; children from impoverished families; and children with special health care needs, such as the chronically ill, homebound, physically impaired or developmentally disabled.

"We're honored to support and award these five outstanding organizations with our Access to Care Grants," said Dr. David K. Curtis, President of HSHC.  "With over 40 - 50 percent of children being affected by tooth decay before age five, it's imperative that we continue to address key barriers to comprehensive quality oral health care.  We're thrilled to work alongside these grantees in their efforts to provide healthy smiles to all children."

About Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM)

Established in 1916, the College's mission has evolved to include a commitment to provide comprehensive education of dentists and specialists, quality care for patients, including the underserved in the community, and to advance research in dental medicine.

About Desert Mission, Inc.

The Desert Mission was established in 1927 to help vulnerable families in north Phoenix to meet their basic needs.  Now part of the not-for-profit John C. Lincoln Health Network, Desert Mission offers a safety net of care that includes: a children's dental clinic, community health center, food bank, childcare center and family resource center.  Desert Mission's Children's Dental Clinic (CDC) provides a full spectrum of accessible, affordable services so uninsured and impoverished children can improve and maintain their oral health.  The hands-on care and education help them learn good dental care habits to maintain their oral health for life.  

About the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC & Union Rescue Mission

The USC/URM Dental Clinic is a partnership between the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California (USC) and the Union Rescue Mission (URM), a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve the poor and homeless residents of inner-city Los Angeles.  The clinic, which opened in May of 2000, is the first comprehensive care dental clinic and the only one to treat children on Skid Row.

About the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP)

The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) is an organization of approximately 2,300 pediatricians in Illinois. Primary activities include advocacy on behalf of children, families, and health professionals in Illinois; the provision of continuing medical education and other resources for pediatricians, pediatric specialists, and other child health care providers; and collaboration with other state organizations and agencies on programs and projects that improve the health and well-being of children.

About New York University College of Dentistry

Established in 1865, the New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the largest academic dental center in the US, educating eight percent of the nation's dentists annually. NYUCD's mission is to partner with students in achieving academic excellence, providing the best oral health care, and engaging in research, scholarship and creative endeavors to improve the health of the highly diverse populations in New York City and around the world.  

About Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the AAPD

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children, the Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, was established in 1987 by the AAPD to support and promote service, education and research that advances the oral health of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. HSHC's endowment is used to support community-based initiatives that provide Access to Care for all children.  For more information, visit the HSHC Web site at www.healthysmileshealthychildren.org.

SOURCE Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children