Whenever We Can and Wherever We Can

By Angelo Mariotti, DDS, PhD Dean, LSU Health School of Dentistry

When you think of what great universities offer, what comes to mind? Many people believe that top ranked institutions primarily offer diverse programs with nationally respected faculty as well as ground-breaking research programs that educate future leaders in business, healthcare, and government. Some of the top ranked and influential institutions of higher learning in the United States are land-grant universities. As one of the 112 land-grant universities, Louisiana State University proudly serves our state and nation. However, great landgrant universities provide more than ground-breaking research or student education, the best of the best find ways to provide help to those most in need of assistance.

Dental outreach in the community often manifests as improved health and economic outcomes of affected individuals. Yet dental outreach will also affect the education of the service provider. Some of the advantages of outreach programs include improvement of student dental care outcomes, promotion of civic engagement, influence on behavior (e.g., peer reinforcement, social-norming of student and patient, etc.) and the education of students regarding the care of patients with diverse values, beliefs, and/or behaviors to meet their social, cultural, and linguistic needs.

One of the ways that the School of Dentistry has moved in outreach to the community is in the development of an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC). Among numerous clinical activities, our ASC will serve the needs of the intellectually and developmentally disabled patient. The modern intellectually and developmentally disabled population is living longer, healthier, and with more meaningful life experiences, yet these individuals have a higher incidence of dental disease that affects quality of life.

The intellectually and developmentally disabled patients present clinicians with unique challenges related to assessment and treatment. To diminish these challenges, it is the goal of the LSU School of Dentistry to educate our students and reach out to the intellectually and developmentally disabled community by opening a viable and sustainable ASC for the appropriate appraisal and treatment of patients with these types of disabilities.

It is evident that to be the best of the best, the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry has no greater duty than to meet the needs of our patients.

Student News

Congratulations to the 2023 LDA Student Award recipient, Marco Gargano! The award is presented to a graduating senior who represents and aligns with the ideals of the dental profession. This person also demonstrates a willingness to be involved with organized dentistry.