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Third Pankey Dental Access Days Clinic Helps More than 100 Homeless in Miami

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Posted: February 25, 2009
Third Pankey Dental Access Days Clinic Helps More than 100 Homeless in Miami

Key Biscayne, FL–Pankey Institute-trained dentists, local volunteers and sponsors provided free dental care on Friday and Saturday, January 30-31, to more than 100 residents and neighbors of Camillus House, a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian services to poor and homeless men, women and children, in Miami Florida.

Working towards a common goal of providing the most dental care possible within two days, the team of 24 dentists, 9 hygienists, 19 dental assistants, and additional volunteers, including students from the Dental Assisting program of the Lindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center in Miami, delivered over $125,000 of patient care that included emergency, preventive, and restorative oral health procedures to over 100 homeless adults. Most of these patients received a mix of services, including cancer screening, prophies, fillings, extractions, root canals, and crowns. Partnering with The Pankey Institute were The Health Foundation of South Florida, The Giving Hand Foundation, Henry Schein Cares, Heraeus-Kulzer, VOCO America, Patterson Dental, CEREC by Sirona, Global Microscopes, Sybron Endo, Colgate-Palmolive, and Pulpdent Corporation. Each corporation donated goods and services for the event, in addition to sending local company representatives to provide technical expertise.

 “The Pankey Dental Access Days clinic in Miami, Florida was a huge success,” said Dr. Ozzie Mayoral, a visiting faculty member of The Pankey Institute and organizer of this Miami event. Dr. Mayoral of Pinecrest, Florida, and Dr. Barry Segal of Aventura, Florida served as local hosts for the two-day free clinic. “I enjoyed working with the medical and dental staff of Camillus House to plan and put on the event.  It was very touching to see how appreciative and happy most of the patients were about finally getting something done with their teeth, as many of them were in pain.  It was also moving to realize that some of them had all of their personal belongings stuffed into a little duffle bag that was placed so gingerly next to the dental unit.  It was an unforgettable experience,” said Dr. Mayoral. “This may become an annual event for us in Miami.”

Dr. A. Keith Phillips, National Director of The Pankey Institute’s Dental Access Days (PDAD) program, traveled from Winston-Salem, North Carolina with 10 dental chairs, equipment and supplies.  “This is our third Pankey Dental Access Days effort,” explained Dr. Phillips. “The first PDAD clinic was held in Atlanta in April 2008 and the second in Annapolis in August 2008. We’re hoping to hold another eight PDAD events across the nation within the next 12 months.”
Assisting Dr. Phillips from North Carolina, was Lynda F. Snider, CDA, Chairman of Dental Assisting at Guildford Technical Community College in Jamestown, NC.  “Lynda set up the clinic with me and kept the team and supplies organized onsite. She was a huge contribution to our productivity and effectiveness,” said Dr. Phillips.

Pankey Dental Access Days is an on-going program with a goal to provide dental services to underserved people across the United States. A fundraising effort to raise $250,000 to buy equipment and supplies is currently underway.  Please contact Denise Budnitz, Director of Development of the L. D. Pankey Dental Foundation.  She can be reached at 305 428-5548 or dbudnitz@pankey.org.Founded in 1972, The Pankey Institute is a nonprofit organization in Key Biscayne, Florida that promotes optimal oral health care through advanced continuing education for dentists (http://www.pankey.org).  It was the first institute of its kind and remains among the most prestigious, attracting dentists from 42 nations to its educational programs.  It is estimated that nearly 20,000 dentists and specialists have attended its courses and now serve millions of patients worldwide.  
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