The UCSD Student-Run Free Dental Project and the UCSD Pre-Dental Society will be presented the American Dental Association (ADA) Golden Apple Award in the category of Achievement in Dental School/Student Involvement in Organized Dentistry Saturday, Nov. 5. This is the first time that a pre-dental program undergraduate school not affiliated with a dental school has won in this category.
The ADA presents the Golden Apple Awards in recognition of dental society activities and excellence in leadership. The San Diego County Dental Society will host the award ceremony which will recognize the volunteer dentists and dental students who run the free dental clinics.
The UCSD Student-Run Free Dental Project was launched in 1999 as part of the UCSD School of Medicine Medical Student Run Free Clinic, a community outreach program, run by UCSD medical and pharmacy students and faculty with additional support from community volunteers, providing free medical care to poor, underserved and homeless. Three free clinics are held weekly throughout the year in Pacific Beach, Downtown and at Baker Elementary School.
The dental clinic provides free fillings, extractions, denture partials, orthodontic treatment, root canals, teeth cleaning and on a case-by-case basis, crowns and bridges.
“These services help minimize tooth loss and dental infection,” said Irvin B. Silverstein, DDS MSEd., a periodontist in private practice in La Mesa and director and advisor of the UCSD Student-Run Free Dental Project and UCSD Pre-Dental Society. “The clinic is managed and staffed by students under the supervision of licensed volunteer dental professionals.”
The ceremony, hosted by the San Diego Dental Society, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at Petco Park in the Western Metal Supply Building.
For information on the event call Yolanda Payan, Dental Society, at 619-275-7188. For information on the UCSD Student Run Dental Clinic contact Dr. Silverstein at 619-466-6666.
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