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PORTER-LEATH
CHILDREN'S CENTER TO PROVIDE DENTAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME YOUTH WITH
BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION GRANT
Agency Partners
with University of Tennessee to Serve Needy Children
MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 4, 2001
-- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter
International Inc., has awarded a two-year, $87,000 grant to Porter-Leath
Children's Center in Memphis. The grant will provide preventive oral health
care for 460 low-income children served by Porter-Leath's day care, residential
and other programs.
Federal health officials call tooth decay the most prevalent childhood
disease -- four to six times more common than asthma. Poor dental health
is a widespread problem, largely because a huge segment of the public
-- 150 million people -- lacks dental insurance. Low-income families in
the Memphis area face an additional challenge since dentists in Shelby
County do not accept children in TennCare, the state's managed care program
for Medicaid-eligible individuals.
"When cost is a consideration, low-income families are likely to
put off preventive oral health care for more immediate concerns like groceries
or rent," said Mike Warr, executive director, Porter-Leath Children's
Center. "The Preventive Oral Services Program Porter-Leath has launched
with funding from The Baxter International Foundation will help to break
down these barriers for hundreds of children."
Every Wednesday morning, 12 children will be transported to the University
of Tennessee Health Sciences Center Department of Dental Hygiene to receive
an exam from a supervising dentist. Twelve dental hygiene students will
provide cleanings, sealants, fluoride and oral hygiene education, while
at the same time gaining valuable experience. Porter-Leath caregivers,
parents and siblings of the children will also receive education on prevention.
Children who need cavities filled, extractions or other dental care will
be referred to University of Tennessee dental clinics and covered by state
funds recently designated for dental care for needy children.
"The Baxter International Foundation is proud to support Porter-Leath's
Preventive Oral Service Program to help ensure children in Memphis have
access to quality, affordable dental care," said Patricia Morgan,
executive director, The Baxter International Foundation. "Through
this program, Porter-Leath is addressing a critical community health issue
and helping to preserve and enhance the health and well-being of local
youth."
For information about volunteer opportunities at Porter-Leath Children's
Center, please call (901) 577-2500.
Originally established in 1850 as an orphanage, Porter-Leath Children's
Center is the oldest social services agency in Memphis. The center served
5,537 people in 2000 through a variety of programs -- including day care,
employment training, nutrition services, adoption services and foster
grand-parenting -- with a major focus on early childhood development and
education. Its Special Needs Adoption Program, with seven local partners,
is recognized as the most successful program of its kind in the state.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States
and other countries. In 2000, foundation grants totaling $4.7 million
improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped
prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education
opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global
disasters.
Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company
that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people
with life-threatening conditions. Baxter employs more than 225 people
in Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- Tanya Tyska, Baxter,
(847) 948-3256
Mike Warr, Porter-Leath Children's Center, (901) 577-2500
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