Founder of SouthEnd Dentistry Volunteers for Community

Charlotte, NC, July 6, 2015 (Newswire.com) - While still in college, Dr. Picot of SouthEnd Dentistry participated in the UNC-Malawi Dental Project, in existence since 1990 and dedicated to providing oral care and oral education to orphans, and HIV-AIDS education. 

The Project received the 2013 Dr. Thomas J. Zwemer Award from the ADA for its work with an underserved population outside the United States.  The global UNC educational news for the School of Dentistry describes the program:  “The Malawi Dental Project, now in its eleventh year, allows four UNC School of Dentistry students pursuing a Doctor of Dental Science degree to travel to Malawi for three to four weeks to provide oral hygiene education, HIV/AIDS education and basic dental care. 

Malawians without oral pain and active disease will receive preventive treatments, and those needing surgical care will be provided the correct emergency and/or restorative treatment. The students see patients at the Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, at a home for children in Mzuz, and in several small villages.”

Dr. Bradford Picot of SouthEnd Dentistry is also pleased and proud to participate in the ongoing Give Kids A Smile event of Charlotte, part of the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile Program, traditionally held on the first Friday in February.  Theses free dental care programs give children from underserved families access to dental care which may not have previously been available to them. 

Sponsored by the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc., the Charlotte Dental Association, Communities in Schools and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, the event offers “…free, desperately-needed dental services to local qualifying children from  underserved families in the Charlotte area, ” according to the press release for this annual event.  The 36 hour volunteer offering helps an estimated 100 children each year.  The event takes place during National Children’s Dental Health Month. 

It is estimated that “Nearly one in four children aged 2 to 11 have untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  In addition, many children enrolled in Medicaid receive no dental services throughout the year.”  In addition volunteering dental services at local events for children,  SouthEnd Dentistry raises awareness of untreated dental disease and helps promote the need for private and public partnerships to increase access to oral health care to all children.

About: The Community Work of Dr. Bradford Picot of SouthEnd Dentistry is Extensive.