Brightside Academy is proud to announce our partnership with Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry to provide dental clinics to our currently enrolled families. We were selected to participate in this collaboration due to our locations and the families we service.This initiative is an extension of Kornberg’s current community dental program, Project ENGAGE. Project ENGAGE provides dental care to children in the North Philadelphia community. Click here to read more about their work in this area.
The goal of this collaboration is to provide dental services including education, comprehensive oral exam, and follow up care to all children currently enrolled in Philadelphia Brightside Academy locations. 29 children have been served since starting this initiative in October.
| Children from our Meadow academy receive exams on November 16. |
The dental clinics will provide comprehensive oral exams and minimally invasive treatments on site. More complex treatments will be referred to the university for further care. The services are provided under the family’s Medicaid benefits. This collaboration provides other benefits for the families such as income based services, dental discount pass programs, and material on insurance coverage.
One common dental problem this program focuses on is Early Childhood Caries. As defined by American Dental Association, Early Childhood Caries is the presence of one or more decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries) or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a preschool-age child between birth and 71 months of age. Approximately 31% of American children preschool age and younger experience Early Childhood Caries (Expand the Reach of Early Childhood Caries Prevention).
| Image Source: Infant Oral Care Program |
Early Childhood Caries is a significant problem and can have lifelong affects such as tooth decay, infectious disease, developmental delays and permanent dental damage.
Upcoming Dental Clinics
Join us at the following locations for upcoming dental clinics with the staff from Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry! Call us at 877-868-2273 to register your child.
- November 23 – 6000 Castor Avenue Philadelphia 19149
- November 30 – 138-140 West Chelten, 2nd Floor Philadelphia 19144
