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Rural Dental Program Recognized By UK Officials During Hazard Visit

dentistry.uky.edu

When a mobile dental unit began work in four Eastern Kentucky counties a decade ago, 7 out of every 10 elementary school children suffered from untreated tooth decay – some severe. But one initiative supported by the University of Kentucky is steadily bringing that number under control.

Dr. Nikki Stone, director of the Eastern Kentucky Ronald McDonald Care mobile unit, says the picture that confronted her team in 2005 was grim.

"We did see a lot of children who told us they didn't have a tooth brush at home, had never seen a dentist before, so kind of those situations that you think couldn't possibly exist but still do," she remembers.

At least one student at nearly every Head Start program showed decay in all 20 of his or her baby teeth. But over time the program has gradually chipped away at those worrying statistics, reducing the decay rates by close to 20 percent.

"Now instead of 7 out of 10 children having untreated tooth decay, we're down to 4 out of every 10 in the Head Start program," Stone reports.

That achievement was recognized at a ceremony in Hazard Wednesday. UK President Eli Capilouto, along with the school’s board of trustees and other officials, are spending several days in the region to tour the Appalachian Regional Hospital and conduct their regular business.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.