The Viscardi Center

at The Viscardi Center

Providing a lifespan of programs and services that educate, employ and empower children and adults with disabilities.
An employer membership organization and comprehensive resource for disability employment best practices.

DONATE

Header Links

  • Login
  • Media Room
  • Contact Us

Share

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Abilities, Inc.
    • E-Learning
    • Henry Viscardi School
    • The Disability Entrepreneurship Institute
    • Nathaniel H. Kornreich Technology Center
    • Services by Type
    • Services by Age/Audience
    • Services for Businesses
    • How to Obtain Services
  • Our Stories
    • Adults
    • Businesses
    • Children
    • Donors
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Give
    • Together We Soar Campaign
    • Advocacy
    • Volunteer
    • Share Your Story
    • Viscardi Alumni
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Media Room
    • Viscardi Voice Newsletter
  • Digital Accessibility
    • Document Accessibility
    • Web Accessibility
    • Captioning & CART Services
    • Audio Description
    • Viscardi Multimedia Learning Center
  • About
    • History
    • Staff Leadership and Boards of Directors
    • Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards
    • Sunny
    • FAQs
    • Careers
    • Financials
    • Contact Us
www.viscardicenter.org > News & Events > News > Project Accessible Oral Health Holds Annual Summit

Project Accessible Oral Health Holds Annual Summit

June 27, 2019 by Mike Caprara

  • A A A

Event honors champions for the care of the disability community.

June 27, 2019

 

Several award recipients holding their award crystals

Project Accessible Oral Health at The Viscardi Center, a global public-private partnership that aims to improve access to oral health care and improve the overall health of the disability community, recently held its annual summit and “First Steps” awards ceremony as it continues to advance the conversation around fostering culturally competent oral health care for people with disabilities.

The summit, “Champions for Oral Healthcare in the Disability Community,” took place June 17-18 in Philadelphia, bringing together dental and medical professionals, educators, policymakers, people with disabilities, caregivers, and other stakeholders. The event kicked off with an awards ceremony at The Study at University City highlighting the groundbreaking work of four honorees:

  • AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First were recognized for creating a new dental insurance plan specifically to address the needs of people with disabilities, and for committing to train its providers to competently and confidently treat its plan members. The honorees were inspired to create the plan by the inaugural Project Accessible Oral Health conference in 2017.
  • The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry were each honored for their commitment to treating people with disabilities, and ensuring that future generations of dentists are taught how to address the oral health needs of the disability community.
  • The ADA Foundation was honored for its recent ADA Foundation Challenge, which raised awareness of the oral health access issues facing people with disabilities among thousands of American Dental Association members.

Throughout the rest of the event, which took place at the The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, attendees discussed progress that has been made since Project Accessible Oral Health’s inception in 2017 and celebrated individuals who have led efforts to improve access to care around the world. Panel discussions explored ongoing oral health challenges facing the disability community, and keynote speaker Neil Romano, Chairman of the National Council on Disability, spoke to attendees about the responsibility each of them must take to ensure that dental practices are accessible and oral health professionals are trained to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities.

For a closer look at the issues discussed during the event, please watch this video interview featuring Steve Kess, Vice President of Global Professional Relations at Henry Schein, Inc., and Dr. Larry Paul, Vice President of Corporate Dental for AmeriHealth Caritas, as they discuss “A New Approach to Oral Health Care for People with Special Needs.” The interview is part of #scheinchats, Henry Schein’s signature social media series.

“We have made tremendous progress in just two short years, and it is rewarding to be joined by colleagues who want to continue driving change that improves the oral health, and overall health, of this most deserving community,” said Barbie Vartanian, Executive Director, Project Accessible Oral Health at The Viscardi Center. “Throughout this year’s event, colleagues exchanged best practices, shared challenges, and embraced the opportunity to build on our successes. We thank the attendees for their enthusiasm and we look forward to next year’s event.”

About Project Accessible Oral Health
Under The Viscardi Center’s network of 501(c)(3) organizations, Project Accessible Oral Health is a global public-private partnership and the first to nationally assemble and connect a consortium of dental and medical professionals, corporations, organizations, policymakers, educators, people with disabilities, caregivers, and other stakeholders in pursuit of equal access to culturally competent oral healthcare. The Project’s mission is to act as a collective catalyst for change that will not only improve access to oral healthcare, but also ultimately improve the overall health of the disability community. Project Accessible Oral Health’s founders include John D. Kemp, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center, Steve W. Kess, Vice President of Global Professional Relations, Henry Schein, Inc. and Co-Founder of Henry Schein Cares and Dr. Mark Wolff, Morton Amsterdam Dean at Penn Dental Medicine. Learn more at ProjectAccessibleOralHealth.org.

Filed Under: News

News & Events

  • News

    >

  • Blog

    >

  • Events

    >

  • Media Room

    >

  • Viscardi Voice Newsletter

    >

Explore News

Events

The Mill River Country Club

Save The Date – Annual Golf Outing

[php snippet=2]

Disability Pride NYC logo

2022 New York City Disability Pride Parade

[php snippet=2]

View All Events

Recent News

View All >
  • Announcing Roy Danis as Board Chair

    July 19, 2022 Roy Danis, President & CEO of Conecuh Brands, assumed the role of Chair of The Viscardi Center Board of Directors on July 1, 2022 Read More...
  • Viscardi Hosts 10th Annual Golf Outing

    June 30, 2022 The Viscardi Center is holding its 10th annual Golf Outing on September 19, 2022 at the prestigious Mill River Club in Oyster Bay. The funds raised will maintain and enhance job training, employment placement, and school-to-work youth transition services. Read More...
  • Nominations Open for 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards

    June 2, 2022 Held annually, The Viscardi Center’s award series honors leaders in the global disability community. Read More...
  • John McEnroe Headlines Celebrity Sports Night

    May 25, 2022 The Viscardi Center’s annual fundraising event drew big names and crowds in support of children and adults with disabilities. Read More...
  • 2022 Games for the Physically Challenged Announced

    April 26, 2022 County Executive Blake and Viscardi student athletes announce return of annual Games at Mitchel Field Athletic Complex in June. Read More...
  • Celebrity Sports Night Returns to In-Person Event

    March 28, 2022 At this signature fundraiser, presented by Delta Air Lines, all-star athletes support vital programs for children and adults with disabilities. Read More...

Contact Us

The Viscardi Center
National Business & Disability Council at The Viscardi Center
201 I.U. Willets Road
Albertson, NY 11507
516.465.1400
info@viscardicenter.org
Careers at the Viscardi Center | Staff Log in
Accessibility | Privacy | Site Map

Sign up For Enews

The Viscardi Center is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit recognized by the IRS.

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram

© 2022 The Viscardi Center. All rights reserved. | Designed & Developed by Infinite Media Corp.