Volunteer Opportunities
St. Bernadette Community Clinic
Dentists, have you been looking for an opportunity to help the poor and homeless population utilizing your expertise? We have a great way that you can serve those most in need. St. Bernadette Community Clinic is an acute care clinic located in Lafayette, La. providing services at no cost to its clients. One of the services that we offer to this needy population is dental extractions. We have a beautiful dental operatory that is staffed by volunteer dentists. Our extraction clinic is run every Friday by appointment only. We are looking for volunteer dentists. If you are interested in joining our staff of givers, please contact Gigi Dossey, R.N. at 337-470-3468 or email at Marjorie.Dossey@fmolhs.org.Louisiana Seals Smiles
Louisiana Seals Smiles School-based Dental Sealant Project will provide school-based dental sealants/fluoride varnish applications, oral health education and build synergy in schools around oral health, nutrition and obesity in underserved populations through a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Health and EatMoveGrow, Inc.Purpose
The goal of this collaboration is increase access to a preventative dental services in school settings.
Background
Through the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health – Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Biotech health, Healthy Smiles Oral Health Program (BCDPHP) seeks to implement and evaluate population-based oral disease prevention and promotion activities to improve the oral health of the residents. A major priority of the program is to prevent early childhood tooth decay by increasing school-based/school-linked dental sealant and fluoride varnish application programs. The program serves as a valuable source of information on best practices in oral health. Through education, monitoring access to service, and the initiation of population-based interventions, the program strives to improve the oral health of the state. Key stakeholders are also engaged to improve oral health.
To promote School-based dental sealants the BCDPHP will collaborate with EatMoveGrow to provide free screenings, dental sealants, fluoride varnish applications and oral health education to 1st and 2nd grade children in an effort to improve dental health. Students will also be led towards obtaining a dental home. Volunteer dentists will be coordinated with assistance from the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) and Fluoridation Advisory Board (FAB) to complete initial screenings. The BCDPHP will contract with a pool of licensed hygienists that will place dental sealants and apply fluoride varnish on program participants. Hygienists will also educate on oral health hygiene and the benefits of dental sealants to educators, parents, and students.
School-based dental sealant program services are coordinated with those schools where 50% or more of the children receive free or reduced lunch.
If you are interested in volunteering, e-mail Mechaune.Butler@LA.GOV or call (225) 342-9499 with your availability. The Oral Health Program will contact those interested regarding delivery dates for schools.
Click here to see a list of community clinics.
