Kids bring creativity, awareness to World Environment Day
Ganeshpuri, India— On June 5, the people of Ganeshpuri celebrated World Environment Day with activities organized by representatives from PRASAD Chikitsa, and from local schools and youth groups. At the Primary School of Ganeshpuri, enthusiastic children created drawings and Rangoli to express how trees benefit both people and the environment. Read more…
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Donor, Margareta Blix, is celebrating the life of her beloved late sister, Gudrun, with a grant of up to $20,000 that will provide a dollar-to-dollar match for new donations to PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program (PRASAD CDHP) received through October 31, 2010. Read more...
“Paddlers for Humanity” Open Ocean Paddle to benefit PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program
Sunday, September 5th
(rain date September 6th)
Save the Date & Register!
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CDHP Receives Five-Year Grant From New York State
e-News editor Lynda Terry talks with Dr. Cecilia Escarra, CDHP program administrator
February,
National Children's Dental Health Month in the U.S., was the perfect
time for PRASAD’s Children’s Dental Health Program (CDHP)
to get word that they have been awarded a new grant for expanding services
to teenagers, pregnant women and infants. CDHP will receive funding
for this year, with annual renewals through 2011. Lynda Terry talked
with Program Administrator Dr. Cecilia Escarra about the new services
the grant makes possible and about her reflections on five years of
service with PRASAD.
Congratulations on the new grant! What services will it help to provide?
"Thank you! There are two areas of focus. One is to provide educational and preventive services to pregnant women and infants. Every year in this region of New York State, more than 2,400 preterm and/or low birth weight (PLBW) babies are born. PLBW is the leading cause of death in infants, and research has documented a link between periodontal diseases and premature delivery. So CDHP will be educating pregnant women about how good oral hygiene and regular dental care benefits their babies’ health as well as their own. We also will be educating these women about proper eating habits for their infants and toddlers, in order to minimize early childhood tooth decay.”
CDHP also will be expanding its outreach to teenagers, right?
"Yes. We have found it harder to get teens to apply for CDHP services, so we are launching the Smiles for Teens educational program to increase awareness and encourage participation. There are several forms of periodontal disease that can manifest in adolescence, so helping teens learn better habits and seek treatment is important.”
"In addition to the state’s funds, the Sullivan County Youth Bureau also has given PRASAD a one-year grant to assist with implementing this program. We just have to come up with $1,700 in matching funds to receive that grant - so support from PRASAD donors will be a great help in that regard.”
You will celebrate five years with CDHP in April. As you look back, how has the program changed ?
"The program has been able to reduce expenses and at the same time, increase the number of children served, which is quite an accomplishment! Since I first came to work for CDHP in 2002, we have been focusing on the intention to have a self-sustainable, efficient dental health program. This grant from the state is one example of how we are making progress towards that goal. The local community, along with local and state government, have really come to value and support the service that CDHP provides."
You’ve also been able to expand CDHP’s service area haven’t you?
Yes. In addition to Sullivan County, where we started CDHP in 1996, we began visiting locations in Ulster County in 2004, and are currently in discussions with Orange County about expanding into their area.
What is CDHP doing to observe National Children’s Dental Health Month?
"Since 2002, CDHP has provided groups of nursing students at Sullivan County Community College with educational tools about the effects of oral disease on the rest of the body, how tooth decay is created, and how to prevent it. Then, every February, the nursing students teach dental health education in the local schools. The kids love it and so do the nursing students!”
Are there any personal reflections you’d like to share about your five years with PRASAD?
"I am so grateful to be serving with PRASAD. It is my best professional experience ever; I never imagined being so happy at work. Before, as a dentist in private practice in Argentina, I didn’t have the awareness of community service. Now I can’t imagine living any other way — the desire to serve has totally changed my perspective on life.”