Plans are underway for the first Summer Campers “BACK-TO-SCHOOL-CAVITY-FREE!” initiative, a collaboration of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and the National Dental Association (NDA). The project will consist of a series of NORDC events that will take place beginning March 4th through August 19th, 2017. The goal is to provide free dental care for the city’s 4,000 summer camp enrollees and to send each camper back to school with happy smiles and a healthy head start. The project is supported by the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Oral Health Coalition. Corporate sponsors are: VOCO, Colgate, Henry Schein, Inc., and Sunstar.
The program was conceived to address persistent oral health disparities impacting vulnerable and underserved populations.
Community partners will provide dental services and health education and will form provider networks to increase access to care. The coordinated efforts of voluntary health organizations, consumer groups, and concerned citizens, are vital to the success of this program. Dr. Hazel Harper, Project Director said, “Partnerships uniting sports organizations, schools, churches, community businesses, and other community groups and leaders, working together with the health community, can contribute significantly to improved oral and general health.”
The 2017 NORDC “Back-to-School-Cavity-Free!” oral health events for the children:
Summer Camp Expo – Saturday, March 4, 2017 -– 9a – 12p
Lyons Rec. Center (624 Louisiana Ave. – New Orleans, LA 70112)
Treme Rec. Center (900 N. Villere St. – New Orleans, LA 70116)
Joe W. Brown Rec. Center (5601 Read Blvd. – New Orleans, LA 70127)
Youth Fit Fest – Saturday, April 22, 2017 -– 10a – 2p
Milne Rec. Center (5420 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122
Back-to-School Expo – Saturday, August 12, 2017 -– 9a – 1p
Behrman Rec. Center (2529 General Meyer Ave. – New Orleans, LA 70114)
Joe W. Brown Rec. Center (5601 Read Blvd. – New Orleans, LA 70127)
Back-to-School Expo – Saturday, August 19, 2017 -– 9a – 1p
Stallings St. Claude Rec. Center (4300 St. Claude Ave. – New Orleans, LA 70117)
Rosenwald Rec. Center (1120 S. Broad St. – New Orleans, LA 70125)
The project is supported by a vast network of community organizations, businesses and volunteers.