Partnering with the American Dental Association to Prevent Early Childhood Cavities

By Kristin Moltz |  November 18, 2017

This fall the health center was awarded at $5,000 grant from the American Dental Association for educating caregivers on how to prevent early childhood cavities (ECC).

Seventy-six pre-dental students from across New York City applied to participate in this pediatric dental program. Of the 76 applicants, 55 were selected to participate. Over the past two weeks we conducted trainings with these dental students. The students are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds which will be tremendously helpful as we attempt to bridge multiple language barriers among those seeing the pediatricians.

In January, we will launch the project at the Elmhurst Hospital Pediatric waiting room (our local public access hospital). Our team will conduct surveys and provide instructional training with caregivers of children under the age of three. The training will help them understand how to better care for their children’s early teeth and the importance of getting them into regular dental visits.

The project is being led by Dr. Linda Pan, a dentist practicing in Jackson Heights and Flushing, and Alekki Markou, a dental assistant.

Back