University of New England’s Dental Hygiene Program Honored for Community Service Partnership
The University of New England’s Dental Hygiene Department has been awarded “Partnership of the Year” for its collaborative efforts with the Opportunity Alliance, bringing essential dental care to low-income families in Portland, Maine. Dental hygiene students provide free prophylaxes, fluoride treatments, and oral health education to underserved children.
The University of New England’s Department of Dental Hygiene recently received “Partnership of the Year” recognition at the Opportunity Alliance’s RAISE Awards for its impactful work serving low-income families in Portland, Maine. Through a partnership with TOA’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic, assistant clinical professor Garrett Richardson, IPDH, MSDH, EFDA, and his students offer no-cost dental care — including prophylaxes, fluoride treatments, caries-prevention strategies, and oral health education — to children younger than 5. This initiative, operating 40 weeks per academic year, helps remove financial barriers for families, ensuring access to essential dental care. The program received local media attention, spotlighting its community impact. Click here to read more.