December 9, 2008

Contact:
Ken Ma
NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5354 Office
954-830-4177 Cell
kennma@nova.edu

Nova Southeastern University to Open New Pediatric Dental Clinic

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE --- Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will open a new pediatric dental clinic at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

The clinic will treat special needs patients with cleft, craniofacial, HIV, and other physical and mental challenges. It will be staffed with one faculty member and two pediatric residents from NSU.

“It’s bringing available dental care closer to the people who don’t have a place to go,” said Robert Uchin, D.D.S., dean of NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, which will run the clinic. “Since the clinic is located at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, children will have access to special dental care as well as a full range of medical care services.”

The clinic was made possible by a federal grant from the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions to train dental students to treat special-needs pediatric patients. The grant provides the college with $1.3 million over three years.

NSU has dental clinics throughout Broward County that provide pediatric dental services for all children, including those who suffer from physical, developmental, mental, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional impairment. The challenges facing these children include autism, cerebral palsy, craniofacial disorder, among others.