Bringing smiles to San Antonio

San Antonio鈥擳he Alliance of the American Dental Association, volunteer dentists and dental students will reach 3,500 seniors in need here over the next year through AADA’s Senior Smiles program.

The special program, conducted in collaboration with the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic, will provide oral health education and dental care with help from San Antonio-area volunteer dentists and fourth-year dental students from the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio Dental School.

The Senior Smiles program, now in its third year, is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and Henry Schein Dental. This year the Alliance expects to provide some 17,000 seniors nationwide with Senior Smiles kits containing dental care products and an educational booklet.

“The Alliance is excited to support ADA oral health care goals for seniors by collaborating with Senior Smiles sponsors and the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic,” said Janette Sonnenberg, AADA president. “We are also appreciative of the clinic volunteers, including dental students, whose efforts will provide one-on-one care to participating seniors.”

The San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic provides a full range of dental care to qualified low-income adults, and 45 percent of its patients are seniors. More than 60 dentists, 10 dental hygienists and 20 office staff provide volunteer services for the clinic, as well as the volunteer dental students.

Through the Senior Smiles program, the clinic will provide 3,500 seniors with total screening, treatment planning and Senior Smiles oral health education and products at their initial visit. Patients will receive free follow-up care as needed and all participants will be reassessed at the end of the program.

“We are pleased that the AADA has chosen us to be a conduit in this wonderful effort to insure that all seniors are able to maintain the best oral health possible,” said David Phipps, SACDC executive director. “Seniors’ dental care is an especially critical health care need in our community. For more than 20 years we have had the benefit of caring volunteers who are willing to address this need.”

On Oct. 15, the Alliance will showcase the program to the ADA and Texas Dental Association leadership and state and local legislators, including a welcome and a tour of the clinic where Senior Smiles visits will be in progress.

For more information, contact the AADA by calling 1-312-440-2866 or log on to www.allianceada.org.聽