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| Alisa Norrup undergoes a root canal procedure during the AAE’s first Access to Care Project, which provided free root canal treatment to underserved patients in the San Diego community. |
The American Association of Endodontists held its first Access to Care Project in conjunction with its recent Annual Session in San Diego, Calif. The volunteers performed root canals on 54 underserved patients in the San Diego community, providing approximately $85,000 of free endodontic treatment to those who could not otherwise have afforded it.
“The patients treated in San Diego likely would have had extractions if we weren’t able to help,” said AAE Immediate Past President Dr. Gerald N. Glickman. “The services we provided will help these patients keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.”
Dr. Glickman was the driving force behind the Access to Care Project, conceiving of the idea as part of the Association’s commitment to educating and serving all patients, and improving overall access to high-quality dental care.
“It was awesome,” patient Alisa Norrup said after her root canal. “I didn’t feel any pain at all. . .I thought it was going to hurt, but it didn’t.”
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| The lead organizers of the Access to Care Project included: (l-r) Drs. Thomas A. Levy, undergraduate endodontics program director at USC School of Dentistry; Gerald N. Glickman, AAE immediate past president; Alan H. Gluskin, professor and chair of the department of endodontics at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry; Marjorie Domingo, USC Mobile Clinic director; and Santosh Sundaresan, USC assistant professor of clinical dentistry. |
Chrystal Stroud also had a root canal and admitted to being nervous beforehand, but said she felt much better once she met her endodontist. “He was so nice and professional and before he did anything he told me exactly what he was going to do so I was prepared,” she explained. “I thought it was going to hurt but it really wasn’t that bad at all and I’m relieved that it’s done.”
The patients treated at the Access to Care Project were prescreened by community health clinics throughout the San Diego area. They were referred back to the clinics for restorative work and follow-up care.
“It’s nice to know that there are organizations like yours [that] are willing to help people like me in this hard economy,” said patient Katrina Leffingwell. “Without this program, I would not have been able to afford treatment.”
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| Volunteer endodontists from the AAE and USC School of Dentistry perform free root canals on underserved patients during the AAE’s first Access to Care Project. |
“As a specialty, we have to be involved in helping people who may not be able to afford endodontic care,” said Dr. Glickman. “The AAE’s first Access to Care Project is a very heart-warming example of what our members can do, but all dentists need to continue to provide that charitable care and improve access year-round.”
Approximately 40 AAE members and faculty and residents from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry participated in the day-long event, which received support from Henry Schein Dental/Henry Schein Cares.
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About the American Association of Endodontists
The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., represents more than 7,200 members worldwide, including approximately 95 percent of all eligible endodontists in the United States. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service.