Grace Lutheran Church Troop 108 Eagle Scout candidate and Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) high school senior, Ngozi C. Taylor is organizing a community health drive that will be held March24, 2012, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The drive is being generously supported by the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California (USC) and the Angel City Dental Society.
The Drive will benefit the Homeless Mission and Missionary Society Programs of Trinity Baptist Church located at 2040 West Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca. 90018. More specifically, the Eagle project goal is to conduct a dental hygiene products drive and assemble those products into hygiene kits for distribution to needy families, children and the homeless on skid row.
Per Angel City Dental Society Executive Director, Dr. Katrina Eagilen, “Tooth decay (dental caries) affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems; such as eating, speaking, playing, and learning.”
A USC Ostrow School of Dentistry study confirmed the worst – epidemic levels of tooth decay exist among young, underprivileged children in Los Angeles County. A total of 2,313 children were examined at 59 sites, and it was found that 72% of disadvantaged L.A. County children under age 5 have untreated cavities – more than double the national average. Per Niel Nathanson, Associate Professor and chairman, USC section of community dentistry, the study also found that disadvantaged children face limited access to dental care and lack dental preventive measures. The study also suggested that developing programs that increase access to preventative dental care through community partnerships are key to tackling the crisis.
Mr. Taylor has decided to make a small impact on this crisis by helping to make dental hygiene supplies available to disadvantaged people and communities. Here is how you can help. Make sure that your children and you are being seen by a dentist. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of impacted people, please contact the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry (www.dentistry.usc.edu), the Angel City Dental Society (www.angelcitydentalsociety.org) or Trinity Baptist Church ([email protected]) to see how you can help.
There were many other Doctors that were instrumental in making this project a reality. Mr. Taylor wishes to acknowledge and thank Doctors Stevan Dumas, Philamena Oboh, Gardner Beale, Katrina Eagilen and Wendy Parker-Harris for their support and contributions.