Grant Allows Midwestern University to Expand Dental Care at DuPage Schools
Midwestern University recently received a $10,000 grant from Delta Dental to improve dental care in DuPage County and provide additional clinical experience for students. With the grant, the University's College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) was able to purchase a complete portable dental system including a portable dental care unit, portable dental light, and operator stools.
The equipment will be used in cooperation with the DuPage County Health Department's Mobile Dental Clinic, which travels to area schools to provide exams and preventive services to at-risk children. Every year, approximately 5,000 children receive dental services in schools as part of the program that targets children who do not have dental insurance and come from low-income families.
"This new mobile unit allows students from the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois to travel with the DuPage County Mobile Dental Clinic and participate in their established program of providing screenings, sealants, fluoride applications, and other dental care services to children in need," said Larry Williams, D.D.S., Assistant Professor, CDMI. "Currently, our dental medicine students participate in rotations at various sites providing care to underserved communities. This grant allows us to expand our capability to help those in need by providing dental care at schools on a regular basis," Dr. Williams said. The equipment can also be used by Midwestern students at other venues throughout DuPage County to provide access to dental services for low-income residents of all ages.
Midwestern University spearheaded the effort to obtain the grant from the Delta Dental Insurance Company, which donates more than $5.5 million annually in support of programs focusing on prevention of dental disease, increased access to care, advancement in dental science, and exploring the connections between oral and overall health. The College of Dental Medicine-Illinois prepares students to earn the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree and gain the knowledge, skills, judgment, and respect for patients necessary for a successful independent and ethical dental practice.