$1.5M grant to expand training in pediatric dental care

July 31, 2017 · Morgan Zalot

Temple's Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry has received a $1.5 million, five-year grant to support student training in pediatric dental care and expand oral health access for children in need. The Pediatric Patient Care, Population Health and Community Based Training (PPCT) Project provides approximately $300,000 annually for curriculum development, community-based clinical rotations, and activities focused on treating children under five and their families.

Assistant Professor Vinodh Bhoopathi, who leads the initiative, emphasized that "when a child is aged from 0 to 5, it is a very crucial time in their growth to receive dental care." The project aims to serve approximately 1,000 additional children yearly with improved oral health services. Grant funding supports partnerships with community organizations including Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Doc Bresler's Cavity Busters, and various Head Start programs.

Additional funding supports five dental students pursuing an Advanced Public Health Certificate and provides one minority student with a tuition scholarship. The initiative addresses Pennsylvania's shortage of pediatric dentists by equipping general dentists to serve young children effectively, with dental students rotating through pediatric clinics and collaborating with medical students at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.