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PORTLAND, Maine

β€˜Pediatric Dentistry Today’ highlights 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν dental student organization

Oral Health Center

The Pediatric Interested Dental Students (PIDS) organization, founded by students in the 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν College of Dental Medicine, has been recognized in the March 2017 issue of Pediatric Dentistry Today, the magazine of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

The publication featured PIDS in its β€œAAPD Predoctoral Chapter Spotlight” column. Founding president Lynne Cataldo (CDM, β€˜17), and rising co-presidents Priya Katwala (CDM, β€˜17) and Minjin Yoo, (CDM, β€˜18) stated that the mission of their organization is to β€œpromote a better understanding and appreciation of dentistry for infants, children and people with special needs among dental students.” Further, the focus of PIDS is on β€œfostering a relationship between dental students and the pediatric community through educational presentations, interprofessional networking, and community outreach projects.”

Since September 2015, PIDS has run an oral health literacy program, Tooth Fairies on the Ferry, which has landed a $1,000 grant from the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. The organization has also educated more than 200 children in the greater Portland area about nutrition and hygiene, and provided them with oral healthcare supplies.

This year, the group created a new pilot program in conjunction with National Literacy month, titled β€œBook, Brush, Bedtime," in partnership with the Maine Woman, Infants and Children Nutrition Program. β€œWe had the pleasure of counseling parents on healthy eating and behavioral changes they can make to improve their child’s quality of life,” said Cataldo. β€œWe look to continuing these outreach efforts in the future, and making a difference in the lives of children and special needs populations in our community.”

 

To learn more about the College of Dental Medicine, visit www.une.edu/dentalmedicine

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions 

L-R: Dental students Isha Gandhi, Priya Katwala and Lynne Cataldo
L-R: Dental students Isha Gandhi, Priya Katwala and Lynne Cataldo

About the 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν

The 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.