The Texas Head Start Save Our Smiles (S.O.S.) Event: Getting a Head Start on Oral Health In October 2008, designated Head Start enrollees in Odessa, Big Spring, Fort Stockton, Pecos, and Livingston participated in the second Texas Head Start Save Our Smiles (S.O.S.) event. The Head Start State Collaboration Office partnered with the Head Start Technical Advisory Network, Texas Department of State Health Services, TDA, Texas Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Oral Health Coalition, and Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association to provide needed oral examinations, fluoride varnish, and oral health education for more than 900 children participating in Head Start.
Former TDA president Dr. Thomas Harrison of Katy examines a child during the S.O.S. event.
In Texas, there are currently 86 Head Start grantees serving more than 86,000 preschool children and families. Many of these children experience challenges in obtaining initial preventive as well as therapeutic dental services. The Texas Head Start S.O.S. event was designed to help identify and address the oral health needs of Head Start participants and their families and to implement strategies to enhance education, prevention, and access to oral health care by identifying dental homes for participating children. TDA thanks all dentists who volunteered for the event — organized dentistry was well represented at each Head Start S.O.S. location. In total, more than $45,000 worth of dental care was provided to children at the selected Head Start centers. TDA’s ongoing work with Head Start S.O.S. underscores a long-term commitment to ensure that all Head Start children have a permanent dental home.
Group shot of Head Start children participating in dental education and awaiting their exam.
Look for more Head Start updates in future issues of the TDA Today as TDA pursues a new nationwide project with the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Head Start — the Head Start Dental Home Initiative. As a part of that project, Texas dentists will assist Head Start in identifying dental homes for young children in Texas who may otherwise go without access to comprehensive dental care.
Austin Dentist Named to A&M Board of Regents Gov. Rick Perry appointed to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Dr. Richard Box, an Austin dentist who served as treasurer for the campaign committee “Texans for Rick Perry.” Dr. Box is a member of the ADA and life member of TDA, the Capitol Area Boy Scouts Board of Directors, Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association, 173rd Airborne Brigade Association and National Guard Association of Texas. He served in the U.S. Army and as commander of the Texas State Guard. Last month, Dr. Box started his term on the nine-member board that governs the A&M system, which has nine universities, seven state agencies, and a health science center. He received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Texas A&M University and a doctorate of dental science from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston.
JANUARY 2009
Editorial Staff Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Editor Edwina J. Shires, Director of Publications Nicole Scott, Publications Coordinator Barbara S. Donovan, Art Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hilton Israelson, D.D.S., President Matthew B. Roberts, D.D.S., President-Elect A. David May, Jr., D.D.S., Immediate Past President Vice Presidents F. Dee Rea, D.D.S., Northeast William M. Walton, D.D.S., Northwest Mark Peppard, D.D.S., Southeast Rise’ L. Lyman, D.D.S., Southwest Senior Directors Arlet R. Dunsworth, D.D.S., Northeast J. Brad Loeffelholz, D.D.S., Northwest Craig S. Armstrong, D.D.S., Southeast Johnny G. Cailleteau, D.D.S., Southwest Directors Donna G. Miller, D.D.S., Northeast Kathleen Nichols, D.D.S., Northwest R. Lee Clitheroe, D.D.S., Southeast John W. Baucum III, D.D.S., Southwest J. Preston Coleman, D.D.S., Secretary-Treasurer Glen D. Hall, D.D.S., Speaker of the House Michael L. Stuart, D.D.S., Parliamentarian Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., Editor Mary Kay Linn, Executive Director William H. Bingham, Legal Counsel TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December by the Texas Dental Association, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, (512) 443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78704-3698. Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-state American Dental Association (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $30. Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6. Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the Association are solicited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted. Please refer to Instructions for Contributors in the annual September Directory of the Texas Dental Journal for more information. Every effort will be made to return unused manuscripts if a request is made but no responsibility can be accepted for failure to do so. Anonymous communications will receive no consideration whatsoever. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association. Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously.
VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG
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