Good oral health helps people maintain good general health and quality of life — but in Pierce County, our oral health needs improvement. The area’s health care specialists, educators and the public can learn how to address these challenges at the 2015 Oral Health Symposium on Friday, Oct. 2, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Bates Technical College South Campus, 2201 S. 78th Street in Tacoma. Registration is required.
Two Health Department staff will present as part of a panel on how drug and cigarette alternatives affect oral health: Christina Abby, Substance Abuse Services program manager, on heroin and opiates; and Jessica Alvestad, Tobacco Prevention and Control health promotion coordinator, on e-cigarettes and hookahs. The symposium schedule also includes:
- Sexually transmitted diseases, with keynote speaker Dr. Sara Gordon, DDS, Associate Dean, University of Washington School of Dentistry
- Sleep apnea, with Steven Marinkovich, DDS
- Drug and tobacco alternatives, with Carol Robertson, RDH
Participating in the symposium is one element of the Health Department’s Comprehensive Community Oral Health Plan. The plan promotes community partnerships that support oral health, reduce chronic disease and promote child and maternal health. It also provides leadership to develop oral health policies and extends current programs that help babies and school-age children receive dental services. More information is available at www.tpchd.org/health-wellness-1/oral-health-program-comprehensive-community.
The Pierce County Oral Health Coalition presents the symposium along with community partners Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Pierce County Dental Society, Bates Technical College, Pierce College and Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children.
Participants can receive four continuing education units where applicable. The per person fee to attend is $40 with Continuing Education credits and $25 without. Register by Sept. 28 via email at cindy@pcdentists.org or by calling (253) 274-9722.
