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The Dental Clinic of the American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Old Dominion University School of Dental Hygiene team up to make a difference.
Norfolk, Virginia (1/31/2006) - - Meeting the need for dental care is becoming increasingly difficult. More and more people are without dental insurance and also struggle to meet the everyday obligations for their families. The patients we see are the less fortunate and often the elderly. They are at or below 125% of the poverty level and do not have a relationship with a dentist. Through a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Old Dominion University School of Dental Hygiene we are making dental care more accessible to those in need.
In 1999 the American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia opened an adult dental clinic in the city of Norfolk, Virginia. At the start, the community dentists volunteered to see patients in the evening. The Navy Dental Command stepped up and assisted as well, but even seeing patients two to three evenings each week, the need continued to grow.
With a grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation, three students come from Richmond Virginia to Norfolk three days a week to provide care. Along with them, a hygiene student is assigned from Old Dominion University School of Dental Hygiene. The students see patients under the supervision of our local dentists who are appointed as Adjunct Faculty to the school.
The students are exposed to patients who have a variety of dental needs. The experience received at the clinic helps the students learn different techniques from the Adjunct Faculty, while helping those in the community who would otherwise be without care.
By Shirley Bisciglia
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