August 15, 2008

SIUC’s Community Dental Center honored

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Community Dental Center is the recipient of the Illinois State Dental Society President’s Award in recognition of its teamwork and efforts to provide oral health care to underserved Southern Illinois residents.

“ The SIUC Community Dental Center is being recognized by me as they have exemplified the very essence of teamwork by joining with others (the SIUC Dental Hygiene Program and the Southern Illinois Dental Society) within the dental community the past several years to achieve a common goal within the dental profession -- that goal being improved access to dental care to patients on limited income within the Carbondale community,” said Dr. Keith W. Dickey, president of the Illinois State Dental Society.

The society’s board of trustees created the President’s Award in 1999 and the president may choose up to two recipients annually. Award criteria include serving the dental profession “above and beyond the call of duty” and exemplifying teamwork in pursuit of a common dental profession goal.

“The Community Dental Center has been cited several times as an example of a partnership between academia and the dental profession to serve the community and meet the needs of various population groups,” said Charla J. Lautar, director of the School of Allied Health within the College of Applied Sciences and Arts.

“This clinic provides an excellent learning experience for our dental hygiene students,” Lautar added.

The SIUC Community Dental Center provides comprehensive oral health care, primarily to Medicaid recipients. Low-income and uninsured residents receive treatment as well from the fourth-year dental hygiene students, faculty dentists and volunteer dentists from around the region.

Located on the south side of the Applied Sciences and Arts building, the center’s schedule offers convenient appointment options for patients. For more information about the center or scheduling a visit, call 618/453-2353. You can also find learn more online at www.siu.edu/~sah/DH/hdchome.html.

Dickey will present the President’s Award to the SIUC Community Dental Center during the opening breakfast of the society’s annual meeting Sept. 12 at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis.