South Plains District Dental Societ

“Expenses administration 2,465 board meetings 2,120 c. E. Courses 10,528 dental health 7,500 dental health expenses 3,232 general meetings 117 social & dental auxiliary 8,038 bonding 888 total 34,888”

“To foster and promote continuing professional study and training of members of the dental profession; to encourage the advancement of professional skills and techniques of members; to disseminate useful information to the public concerning dental health; to encourage or carry on research work in connection with dental health; to encourage the training of dental technicians, assistants and office staff and to receive grants and bequests to use in fulfilling the above purposes.”

“Dental public health - through the dental health committee of the society, volunteer staffing is coordinated with the presbyterian dental clinic. In addition, dental education literature and oral hygiene supplies are provided from the surplus from other programs. The clinic provides emergency dental care for the indigent of all ages and regular dental care for children of poverty-level families. The clinic serves 450 to 500 patients per month. Working through the dental health committee, individual dentists also maintain liaisons with the lubbock independent school district to provide classroom instruction and demonstration on dental health. Instructional materials and oral hygiene supplies are again provided as needed to supplement individual teachers' resources. During the school year, anywhere from 30 to 150 students per month are affected. The society provides a speaker's bureau for local civic clubs and other organizations desiring presentations on dental topics. Educational materials are maintained and updated by the society for use in these presentations. Informational printed materials are also distributed. Demand for this service is highly variable, but at a typical meeting the audience ranges from 20 to over 75. The society's editor actively solicits and prepares for publication, appropriate dental public health news releases and announcements. These materials are distributed to news media outlets throughout the south plains area. The population served by such activity is several hundred thousand. The month of febrary has been designated national children's dental health month. The society conducts several programs in observance of this time. A poster contest is sponsored for all area elementary schools, and the winners receive prizes ranging from dental care-related materials to bicycles and other recreational items. An oral health fair is presented in conjunction with exhibits at the science spectrum, a local museum. Eductaional materials and oral health supplies are distributed in the context of an entertaining presentation for children and adults. Extensive publicity is also undertaken for these events. Approximately 600 people attend the fair. Recently, the society has organized a major permanent dental exhibit at the science spectrum. The society also participates in general health fairs at the science spectrum and at south plains mall. Local dentists donated dental health care of approximately 40,000 in conjunction with these fairs. The society contributes to the texas dentists for healthy smiles statewide programs. Continuing dental education - through its monthly meeting programs, the society provides local health care professionals with timely programs on the state of contemporary dental care and related topics. While these meetings are generally attended by society members, guests from the medical communtiy and surrounding areas also attend. The society presents a one or two day seminar each spring and fall. Dentists, hygienists, dental office personnel and other health care professionals from throughout west texas and eastern new mexico are served by these meetings. Attendance generally exceeds 200.”