As part of the American Medical Student Association’s
Achieving Diversity in Dentistry and Medicine Leadership Training Program,
Jocelyn Elders, M.D., former Surgeon General of the United States, delivered
the keynote address.
Nationally renowned clinical researcher John
O. Burgess, D.D.S. M.S., Louisiana State University School of Dentistry,
gave a Restorative Dentistry Update Friday, July 15.
In honor of its 100-year anniversary, the Dental
Branch at Houston was recognized by the Texas Legislature with the passing
of two independent resolutions.
Judith Buchanan, D.M.D.,
Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, presents
“Preparing Dental Providers for the 21st Century: Focus on Improving
Learning,” during the Centennial Speakers Series.
UTDB Centennial Smiles II offered free dental care to those who needed it most
Click
on image to enlarge.
The line of Greater Houston residents that attended Centennial Smiles II wraps around the UT Dental Branch. The event, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Dental Society, succeeded in providing oral health care to nearly 500 members of the community.
Carla Renteria was planning to wake up early the morning of April 9. Her daughter’s school had recently publicized an opportunity for free dental care — and she didn’t want to — no, couldn’t afford to — be late. This was a service her family desperately needed.
But while preparing for bed, something hit her. “There are going to be a lot of people there’ I said to myself. So I woke up the whole family and we all got in the car.”
Within a few minutes, the Renteria family; Carla, two daughters, a sister, and her mother were driving on Interstate 45. They arrived at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston by midnight. The next family joined them at 2:30 a.m.
The Renterias’ rush to free dental care was just one of many examples of the sense of urgency and need that was present on Saturday, April 9 at the UT Dental Branch during Centennial Smiles II. The event, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Dental Society, was successful in providing basic dental care to nearly 500 people in the Greater Houston area.
Limitations in space, manpower and time, resulted in approximately 1,500 others receiving information to return to the clinic on another day.
“Centennial Smiles II turned out to be everything it was meant to be — a day at the UT Dental Branch where people put themselves aside and focused on the purpose — providing quality oral health care to those who need it most,” said Catherine M. Flaitz, dean of the Dental Branch.
“It was truly an emotional day. To see families, many with small children, wait in line for hours
Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the UT Dental Branch, gives a closer examination of Centennial Smiles II patient Carla Renteria. Flaitz, who is an oral pathologist and highly trained in special needs patients, was called in by staff in the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) mobile unit. TADG provided free oral cancer screenings to everyone at the event.
Kimberlin Styblo, center, reads to her family as they wait in line for free dental care. The Styblo family, like many others, was willing to wait for much needed service.
and still show much appreciation for the services that were offered was a humbling experience.
“We, at the Dental Branch, are grateful to the Greater Houston Dental Society, the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, the volunteer dentists, professionals and support staff who contributed their time to make the day a success.
“I also send thanks to the Greater Houston community, the mass of citizens who put their trust and faith in us to perform a charitable service. I do believe we brought smiles to the faces of many by placing them on a path toward improved oral health.”
Through the efforts of 78 volunteer dentists and a host of dental professionals and paraprofessionals, low income patients were seen from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Staff of the UT Dental Branch and GHDS, who were steeredby Peter Triolo, D.D.S., associate dean of Patient Care and John A. Valenza, D.D.S., executive associate dean, pulled together to ensure those in line received fillings, extractions and other basic dental needs.
“My kids have MediCaid, so they are taken care of,” said Crishonda Sterling, who began standing in line at 6 a.m. “But Dental Care is so expensive that I often can’t afford to go. I have really been neglecting my own needs.”
Jerry Long, D.D.S., president of the UT Dental Branch Alumni Association, said he can identify with patients like Sterling. “Unfortunately MediCaid does not cover adult dentistry,” he said. “But the Dental Branch is very committed to making sure that people in the community who deserve affordable dental care receive some assistance.”
Long’s first patient of the morning said she needed four extractions and that she hadn’t been to the dentist in six years.
Kimberlin Styblo of Livingston, who was in line with her husband and four children rejoiced at being number 325 in line. They came prepared with toys and books to enjoy while waiting for the service they so badly needed.
Styblo said her children are enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). But CHIP, much like Medicaid, does not provide them with dental insurance. “When a child’s teeth hurt they are not focused on anything, certainly school work,” Styblo said. “Being in line today is very important for our family.”
Patients also had an opportunity to be screened for oral cancer by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. Connie Sonnier, executive director of the academy, said the mobile unit is taken across the state for screenings and when they learned that Centennial Smiles II was taking place they jumped at the opportunity to provide the service on the same day.
“We are excited by the turnout this year and are glad we came,” Sonnier said. “At this event we are getting a lot of people screened because we have a captive audience. They are already here for one service and can take advantage of another.”
Craig Armstrong, president of the Greater Houston Dental Society, said the UT Dental Branch and GHDS should be proud of the day.
“ The ability to make such an impact on a person’s life, as we all did on Saturday, is a tremendous honor and is something that is sure to stay with us for many years. The words of appreciation and the smiles on the patients' faces made it all worth it for me,” he said. “I am proud of my profession, my school and my colleagues for a job well done.”
The event is sponsored by The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston and The Greater Houston Dental Society in celebration of our 100 years of service to the community.
