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UNMC College of Dentistry faculty attending the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition dinner included, from left: Stan Harn, Ph.D., professor; Fouad Salama, D.D.S., associate professor; Jennifer Harn, assistant professor; David Brown, Ph.D., associate dean, Gwen Hlava, associate professor, John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean; and Tim Durham, D.D.S., professor. |
The coalition is a non-profit organization that partners with more than 12 area clinics and 500 health professionals each year, to help an estimated 6,000 men, women and children. Volunteers represent hospitals, federally qualified community health centers, UNMC, Creighton University Medical Center, the Metro Omaha Medical Society, the Omaha District Dental Society, insurers, the business community and community organizations.
Accepting the award during an awards dinner was John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean, and David Brown, Ph.D., associate dean.
During 2005, about 300 dental and dental hygiene faculty, students and residents, provided free oral health services to about 1,000 children, with an estimated value of $390,000.
The college was recognized for its work with the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition in a variety of ways, including its Sealing Smiles program, which provides free sealants for needy children in Omaha Public Schools. The college also hosts Dental Day. In 2005, it provided free services in Lincoln for underserved children from Lincoln, Hastings, Lexington, Norfolk and Madison. It also took Dental Day on the road to Alliance and Sidney to provide free oral health services to underserved children.
The award also recognized Tim Durham, D.D.S., program director of the UNMC general practice residency program, for providing discount dentures for women who are victims of domestic violence. Fouad Salama, D.D.S., director of the UNMC pediatric dentistry post-graduate program, was recognized for donating pediatric oral care to needy children.