Program cited by Surgeon General's report on oral health
On April 29 U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, M.D., joined the Oral Health Partnership Network in the public release of the “National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health” report during the National Oral Health Conference in Milwaukee, Wis.Oral health disparities were highlighted in the year 2000 Surgeon General's Report: Oral Health in America where it was reported that no less than a “silent epidemic of oral diseases is affecting our most vulnerable citizens—poor children, the elderly and many members of racial and ethnic minority groups.” The report also highlighted the disabling oral and craniofacial aspects of birth defects.
The report was a wake up call to policy makers, community leaders, private industry, health professionals, the media and the public to affirm that oral health is essential to general health and well-being. No one should suffer from oral diseases or conditions that can be effectively prevented or treated.
The Network Partnership is a broad coalition of individuals and public and private organizations that led the development of the National Call to Action to promote oral health.
Dr.
Carlos Salinas
Carlos Salinas, DDS, DMD, a professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, is a member of this network and during last years nationwide “Listening Sessions” he had the opportunity to present the dental program for special patients developed at the College of Dental Medicine.
The program is a spin-off of the South Carolina Initiative, now sponsored by the Duke Endowment grant. It is a comprehensive approach to decrease oral health disparities and to improve the quality of life of children with special health care needs.
“I saw that our program philosophy, implementation, and outcomes was
seriously considered to be prominently cited in such an important document,”
said Salinas. “We should all be proud for this citation, because it has
been a team effort particularly carried out by the Department of Pediatric
Dentistry and Orthodontics.”
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