The ODA, under the direction of the Council on Dental Education and Public Information and in partnership with Schools for Healthy Lifestyles (SHL), has recently launched the "Adopt-A-Dentist" program. SHL is a non-profit program formed in 1997 in an effort to combat Oklahoma youth’s declining health status. The organization’s mission is to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles among students, families and educators. Elementary schools selected to enter the SHL program form a health advisory council to identify needs, establish goals, and implement plans to improve the well being of their entire school community.
"Adopted" dentists will visit the school and make oral health educational presentations. The number of visits will vary dependent upon the school’s size and specific needs, and the dentist’s and school’s time allowance. The adopted dentist and the school are especially encouraged to schedule presentations during Children’s Dental Health Month in February. The adopted dentist will also assist the school in making arrangements for emergency dental care for low income students with no financial resources for treatment. And, the ODA will work with the Oklahoma Dental Foundation to try to schedule a Mobile Dental Care Program visit to as many SHL schools as possible. The adopted dentist and his/her staff will serve as the volunteers in the mobile van that day, treating eligible students, as identified by the school.
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THANK YOU to the dentists who have agreed to sign up for the 2009-2010 school year. We are looking forward to a wonderful year with the students! We still have 26 unmatched schools, if you are interested in becoming an Adopt-a-Dentist please take a look at the list below to find your perfect match. The success of this program is 100% dependent upon ODA volunteers! Please take a moment to consider volunteering a few quality hours of your time to improve the oral health of the children in your community.
Schools still needing a match are listed below:
Blackwell Elementary (Blackwell) - 2105 W. Ferguson Ave., Blackwell, OK 74631
Bodine Elementary (OKC) - 5301 S. Bryant, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
Bridge Creek Elementary (Bridge Creek) - 2209 E. Sooner Rd., Blanchard, OK 73010
Charles Evans Elementary (Ardmore) - 1906 Harris Street, Ardmore, OK 73401
Columbus Elementary (OKC) - 2402 S. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Epperly Heights (PC) - 3805 Del Rd., Del City, OK 73115
Fillmore Elementary (OKC) - 5200 S. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City, OK 73119
Grand Elementary (Chickasha) - 1415 Grand Ave., Chickasha, OK 73018
Heronville Elementary (OKC) - 1240 SW 29th, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Indian Meridian/James Griffith (Choctaw/Nicoma Park) - 1865 S. Indian Meridian, Choctaw, OK 73020
Jefferson Elementary (Shawnee) - 800 N. Louisa, Shawnee, OK 74801
Kendall-Whittier Elementary (Tulsa) - 2601 E. 5th Pl., Tulsa, OK 74104
Linwood Elementary (OKC) - 3416 NW 17th, Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Lone Grove Elementary (Lone Grove) - 16481 US Hwy 70, Lone Grove, OK 73443
Mark Twain Elementary (Duncan) - 2204 W. Oak, PO Box 1548, Duncan, OK 73533
Mark Twain Elementary (OKC) - 2451 W. Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Myers Elementary (Yukon) - 1200 S. 1st St., Yukon, OK 73099
Oklahoma School for the Blind - 3300 Gibson St., Muskogee, OK 74403
Oklahoma Union (South Coffeyville) - Rt. 1 Box 377-7, South Coffeyville, OK 74072
Parkland Elementary (Yukon) - 2201 S. Cornwell, Yukon, OK 73099
Shedeck Elementary (Yukon) - 2100 S. Holly, Yukon, OK 73099
Shidler Elementary (OKC), 1415 S. Byers, Oklahoma City, OK 73125
Southwest Elementary (Chickasha) - 900 W. Choctaw, Chickasha, OK 73018
Stand Watie Elementary (OKC) - 3517 S. Linn, Oklahoma City, OK 73119
Steed Elementary (Mid-Del) - 2118 Flannery Dr., Midwest City, OK 73110
Tinker Elementary (Mid-Del) - 4500 Tinker Rd., Oklahoma City, OK 73135
If you are interested in learning more about the program, or would like to volunteer to “adopt” one of the above schools, please contact Stephanie Trougakos.