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College of Dental Medicine Outreach to the Underserved: Creation and Evaluation of Community-Academic Partnerships
Linda M. Kaste, DDS, PhD
College of Dental Medicine
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Specific Aims:
- Conduct service needs assessments
- Provide outreach and clinical services
- Evaluate cost effectiveness
- Evaluate outreach
- Identify funding sources for support outreach programs
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| Oral health problems including decay, gum disease, and mouth cancers are frequently found in communities with low levels of income and education. Access to dental disease prevention and treatment varies among such South Carolina communities, leaving some communities underserved. The MUSC College of Dental Medicine receives many requests from underserved communities for help in addressing their dental needs. Currently the college has no central mechanism for handling these requests. This Healthy South Carolina project provides the opportunity to see how having a specific outreach office (Community Academic Coordinator - CAC) assists with the response to these requests. The grant project aims to collect information on MUSC dental outreach programs and resources involved in working with underserved communities, including their costs and effectiveness. The attitudes about and participation in outreach by the college's students, faculty, and staff will be measured. A community representative and several private practitioner dentists serve as members on the external advisory board. Information on funding sources and availability for dental outreach programs will be pursued. During the grant period, the CAC will make recommendations to the College of Dental Medicine about further involvement in outreach. |
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