The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67696

Cathy Ai, BS, Andrew T. Nguyen, MS, and Edward Maggiore, DDS, MPH. School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095, 310 799 4794, fcai@ucla.edu

Caries remain one of the most prevalent diseases of U.S. children. It is estimated that 80% of the occurrence of caries are found in 20% of children, particularly children of lower socioeconomic status. In these children, most dental problems are not self-limiting, and can lead to pain and infection if left untreated. Pain and infection often lead to a reduced standard of living, inability to effectively learn in the classroom, and poor interaction with other adults and children - all of which can simply be prevented with basic, routine preventative dental services and education. South Central Care(SCC) is a community-university based partnership between the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, and the Lennox Unified School District and its surrounding community. SCC is dedicated to promoting the importance of oral health through education while deceasing the disparity of oral care by making available, high quality, low-cost dental care. SCC’s objective is to increase the awareness and importance of oral health by targeting children of disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds in South Central Los Angeles in hopes of overcoming the barriers of access to care – lack of education, lack of finances, lack of resources. Since its inception, SCC has provided oral hygiene instructions and preventive services to over 10,000 children; and secondary dental care to approximately 200 children. With the support of the UCLA School of Dentistry and the surrounding communities of Los Angeles, South Central Care seeks to become one of the most original, unique and innovative community-university health partnerships program.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a student run oral hygiene educational program which also provides low cost dental services to increase access to care in underserved and socially disadvantaged populations.
• Create the opportunity for dental students to work with pediatric patients in underserved communities, promote community service, and develop the ability to assess, evaluate, and identify, individual oral care needs.
• Establish and continue long term relationships between higher educational institutions with school districts in the community.

Keywords: Access to Care, Community-Based Partnership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.