The ADA Foundation awarded its 2009 Bud Tarrson Dental School Student Community Leadership Award to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Dental Medicine in recognition of an oral health treatment program for National Guard troops.
In 2008, UNLV dental students founded the Sergeant Clint Ferrin Memorial Clinic to help meet the oral health needs of National Guard troops deemed nondeployable because of dental problems. Some of these troops cannot access dental care because they are not on active duty, making them ineligible for military benefits. The program has since expanded to include all local military veterans with limited access to dental care.
The first clinic, held in July 2008 at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, treated 19 patients. Since then, there have been six additional clinics, with about 30 patients receiving free treatment at each session, including more than 100 veterans. UNLV dental students, supervised by Nevada licensed dentists, provided treatment that included restorations, root canals, extractions, crowns, and dentures.
The UNLV School of Dental Medicine will receive $5,000 with the award to enhance student education and outreach to underserved populations.
Created in 2003, in memory of philanthropist Bud Tarrson, former chief executive officer and owner of the John O. Butler Company, the award recognizes one exemplary volunteer community service project developed by dental students enrolled in a predoctoral dental education program.
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