A new project led by scientists at the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, is shining a light on childhood oral disease, one of South Texas’ most pervasive health challenges.
With one of the lowest dentist-to-patient ratios in the U.S., and some of the nation’s highest childhood cavity rates, the research team is launching a school-centered program to promote prevention and build lifelong healthy habits. They seek to turn elementary school teachers into “oral health champions” for students ages 5 to 10.
The two-year initiative is headed by a team of investigators at the Center for Global and Community Oral Health led by Yvonne Buischi, DDS, PhD, professor in the Department of Periodontics, with co-investigators Peter Loomer, DDS, PhD, professor and the center’s director; Natalia Kajimoto, DDS, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics; Noorpreet Kaur, BDS, MPH, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry; and Sergio Funari, DDS, PhD, Institute of Infectious Diseases Emilio Ribas Sao Paulo, Brazil.