The Wisconsin Dental Association and Marquette University School of Dentistry share a long history of partnership.
In 1968, Marquette University School of Dentistry collaborated with the WDA formerly known as Wisconsin Dental Society, the state dental health insurance program and Milwaukee Children’s Hospital to establish a new program to train dental students to care for children with special needs. The training was done at Children’s Hospital.
In 1989, the special needs clinic at MUSoD served 3,110 elderly and disabled patients. 95% of whom are welfare recipients.
We are again coming together to address the special needs dental care crisis.
Through the MUSoD’s Advanced Care Clinic, students gain experience treating patients with cognitive and developmental disabilities as well as dental anomalies that require specialized knowledge for treatment.
To honor of the WDA’s 150th anniversary, MUSoD and the WDA have launched a bold fundraising initiative to secure $150,000 and significantly advance Marquette’s special needs dental care program. We invite you to be a part of this initiative.
Gifts of any amount – some have suggested $150 in honor of the WDA’s 150th anniversary – to the Marquette Cares Oral Health Fund will provide funding to:
- Continue to make possible discounted, or in some cases “no cost,” oral healthcare for patients with special needs, which is needed now more than ever as the COVID pandemic presents new financial challenges for families;
- Develop and enhance the dental curriculum to prepare competent special needs care providers;
- Expand clinical venues designed to accommodate special needs patients in a regular dental clinic setting;
- Help improve coordination between providers and venues for patients with special needs.
The need for dental services for people with disabilities is significant. You can play a role in broadening the scope of those we are able to serve. If you are in a position to help, please consider supporting this important endeavor.
