wvhealthy smiles

Health and Human Services Collaborative

Health Work Group

Healthy Smiles – “Healthy Smiles for a Bright Future”

Betty Russell, Task Force Coordinator; Dr. Lisa Dunn, Dental Director; Susan Walter, Program Director

Next MOM organizing meeting: November 14 at 9 AM at Dr. Dean Russells’ Office on Shusruta Drive in Martinsburg

Goals and Objectives

1. Educate about the importance of oral health care

2. Provide preventative dental health services to children ages 1 – 6 who do not currently have a dental home through dental exams, teeth cleanings, and fluoride treatments. Children will then be referred to an appropriate dental home for further treatment and follow up. Service sites include schools, daycare centers, community health centers, health departments, and DHHR.

3. Develop a Healthy Smiles dental center accessible to all regardless of ability to pay

4. Develop a Healthy Smiles M.O.M. (Mission of Mercy) dental mash program June 27-28, 2008, to provide free dental care to 1000+ needy adults with 600+ volunteers

Check out this article in the Martinsburg Journal.

Grants received: $250,000 from Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, $5,000 from Eastern WV Community Foundation, $5,000 from Berkeley County Women’s Organization
Letters of Intent to: Robert Wood Johnson ($264,550) & American Dental Association ($100,000)

Proposal to Case Foundation ($10,000)
Proposal for WV tax credits to Neighborhood Investment Program ($3,000)
Oral Health Education: 935 children; 4 radio shows; Concussion Program-Jefferson County – 400 athletes will receive mouthguards, smokeless tobacco & oral health information
Collaborating with Valley Health System in Huntington, WV, to develop Healthy Smiles Dental Center: Support Letters being sent to Valley BOD, will develop Letters of Agreement, looking for a dental site to rent
Shenandoah Community Health Foundation to serve as 501c3 fiscal agent to receive community donations
United Way will take lead as fundraising facilitator to raise 1)start-up funds for Healthy Smiles Dental Center and 2) funds to assist early sustainability and for special needs (ie MOM)
June 27-28, 2008 Mission of Mercy (MOM) dental mash weekend being planned. Need 600 volunteers to provide dental services for 1000 adults at Martinsburg High. Please volunteer to Betty Russell & Susan Walter.