Dental center receives key gifts to enhance services
ST LOUIS – A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health and the St. Louis Dental Education and Oral Health Center announced three significant gifts to the center located in Lafayette Square at 1500 Park Ave.
The gifts were announced by Dwight McLeod, DDS, MS, dean of the university. The St. Louis Dental Center supports Missouri Smile Forward by providing oral health care to at-risk patients, while also offering clinical learning experiences to dental students.
The St. Louis Dental Education and Oral Health Clinic is a partnership between A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health and Affinia Healthcare.
The St. Louis Center serves patients in both Missouri and Illinois. Uninsured Illinois residents may also access the discounts offered at the center
The gifts are:
Nestlé Purina Petcare Co. – A $30,000 donation to fund Missouri Smile Forward and the St. Louis Dental Center’s pediatric operatory. Part of the gift also helps significantly brighten the room dedicated to serving children, by displaying heart-warming scenes of people and pets. Having dental treatment can be unnerving at any age, and these calming views of pets will help to ease a child’s fears.
“Nestlé Purina is committed in our passion to help make the communities where we operate the very best they can be,” said Kasey Bergh, director of Community Affairs for Nestlé Purina. “We are proud to join with other local businesses and donors in support of the Missouri Smile Forward program.”
The Saigh Foundation – A renewed $15,000 commitment for a second year brings the foundation’s total to $30,000 in support for oral health care. The Saigh Foundation is dedicated to enhancing quality of life in the St. Louis Metropolitan region through charitable projects and initiatives, which primarily benefit children and youth through education and health care
“The Saigh Foundation is proud to provide dental and oral health care for underserved children at the St. Louis Dental Education and Oral Health Clinic. All children deserve good hygiene and a healthy mouth at affordable prices. A.T. Still is giving the youth “something to smile about,” JoAnn Hejna, executive director.
The Mildred, Herbert and Julian Simon Foundation – A $30,000 gift from this charitable organization is dedicated to funding oral health care services to St. Louis families in need.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of these three charitable organizations,” said McLeod. “Too many people of all ages in our community and the region are not receiving the oral health care that will not only fix their mouths and smiles, but will also help to ensure their overall wellness.”
PHOTO: From left, Christy Frauenhoffer, senior community affairs specialist, ATSU; Bob Behnen, associate vice president for University Advancement, ATSU; and Cheryl Lee, project management coordinator, Community Affairs, Nestlé Purina.The check was presented to support Missouri Smile Forward in the Nestlé Purina room at the St. Louis Dental Center.
