LDA - Louisiana Dental Association

VolunteerSERVICE OPPORTUNITIESLPCA Looking for Dental Volunteersfor July 14 EventLouisiana PrimaryCare Association(LPCA) is a non-profitcorporation whosepurpose is to promoteaccessible, affordable,quality primary health care for the uninsured and medicallyunderserved populations in Louisiana. It is a membershiporganization of 20 Federally Qualified Community HealthCenters (FQHCs) and supporters committed to the goalof achieving health care access for all and elimination ofhealth disparities.Recently, LPCA was chosen to serve as a site forHenry Schein, Inc.’s 2007 Healthy Children, HealthyLifestyles Program. This event is an access-to-careinitiative that brings screenings, education, counseling,referrals, and fun to a medically underserved populationin our community, children. Children are screened formedical conditions and risk factors such as asthma,diabetes, hypertension, obesity, mental health, oralhealth and vision. Children will then be asked to makea lifestyle commitment for the six months following theevent. Commitments include more daily exercise, betternutrition, and less time watching television.LPCA is partnering with 100 Black Men of MetroBaton Rouge’s Back-To-School Expo to host the eventon Saturday, July 14, 2007, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at theBaton Rouge River Center. Health professionals areasked to volunteer to provide an estimated 1,500 childrenwith dental screenings, fluoride treatments, and referralservices for follow-up care. Providers are asked to volunteerfor a three-hour shift. Health professionals and childrenalike are invited to volunteer or attend the event statewide.For more information or to volunteer, please contactTia Gipson via e-mail at tgipson@lpca.net or phone(225) 927-7662.Operation Blessing Looking forVolunteersOperation Blessing has been operating a free dentalclinic in New Orleans since February 2006 in wake ofthe devastation caused by Katrina. Partnering withLouisiana’s department of health, LDA, and the LABoard of Dentistry, this is the only completely freedental clinic operating at this time in this area. Peoplebegin to line up at the dental clinic during the earlymorning hours and sometimes the night before, and theyturn away close to 100 people a day.Basic Info:• Volunteer dentists and hygienists must have anup-to-date license from the United States.• Reciprocity rules are in effect that allow theDepartment of Health and Hospitals and theLouisiana State Board of Dentistry to issuetemporary licenses.• Operation Blessing’s modern clinic has four dentalchairs, digital x-ray, and a cavetron.• Operation Blessing takes care of all the dentistslodging and food needs and can providetransportation to and from the clinic and airport.The need for volunteers rightnow is tremendous. The clinicis unable to open unless we havea dentist volunteering. We havevery few dental volunteersscheduled for the upcoming weeksand months.The field dental clinic is locatedat 5501 Read Blvd. and contains all the needed equipment.The clinic is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.and serves walk in patients only. Contact Karen Ballat 757-226-3858 or karen.ball@ob.org to volunteeror receive more information. t26 LDA Journal