The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation Funds Pilot Oral Hygiene Care Program at Spaulding Youth Center
January 29, 2015
The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation has generously donated $4,500 to Spaulding Youth Center for a pilot program to provide specialized training to interns from NHTI and dental hygiene care to children and youth with special needs at Spaulding. This valuable program is the brainchild of James B. Manning, D.D.S. of Brookfield, NH, who was the 2014 recipient of the Arthur H. Nighswander Community Partner Award for his volunteerism, expertise and kindness in providing students with dental care at Spaulding.
Spaulding has had difficulty in the past attaining oral hygiene care for students with special needs for several reasons: 1) there is a shortage of dental hygienists who have experience with children with special needs; 2) many dental practices will not accept patients on Medicaid; and 3) many special needs students experience anxiety in unfamiliar settings, so traveling to a dental office is often impossible. Training for special care dental patients is almost nonexistent in Northern New England. Through this pilot program, Dr. Manning and his staff are sharing their experience and techniques with interns from NHTI and providing easier access to dental hygiene services for students with special needs in a setting where they feel safe.
Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning and/or developmental challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Services include academic, behavioral health, residential, foster care, health and wellness and family support.
For information about Spaulding Youth Center, contact Gail Mayhew, Director of Development at 603286-7500 ext. 532, GMayhew@SpauldingYouthCenter.org or visit www.spauldingyouthcenter.org.
The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation works to improve access to, and the quality of, oral health care and
education for the general public and the dental communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This is in harmony with Northeast Delta Dental’s mission to advance the oral health and overall wellness of its customers and the general public.
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