Pediatric Oral Surgery PROGRAM TO OPEN

Salisbury, MD— The Village Dental Center in collaboration with Drs. Mark and Jerry Krause of Krause Pediatric & Orthodontic Dental Care and the Delmarva Surgery Center will open the first pediatric oral surgery program for low-income children this summer. This program is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene Office of Oral Health. A rehearsal is planned on August 20th at 9 AM at the surgery center to assure all equipment, supplies and staff is ready to see the first patient. The center will house specialized dental equipment purchased by the grant. “I am happy to be able to offer a service to the community that has not been available in over 20 years” states Dr. Mark Krause. Both Drs. Krause have been members of the Village Dental Center Advisory Board since its inception and have worked to see this safety net program to fruition. Dr. Mark Krause will be the lead dentist in this effort. Dr Gary Womer, Clinical Director at the Village Dental Center notes that “with this new program, many children with multiple dental caries will no longer have to travel to the western shore to receive treatment. I look forward to working with the Dr. Krause and other dental providers in the community to reduce the amount of untreated decay in our area.”

Dental decay is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease in the United States and Maryland – 5 times more common that asthma. In 2005-2006, the Survey of Oral Health Status of Maryland Public School Children found children in K and Grade 3 who reside in the Eastern Shore were more likely to have untreated dental caries as compared to children who reside in Southern or Western Maryland. The Village Dental Center is operated by the Wicomico County Health Department and provides preventive, diagnostic, and restorative services to both low-income children and pregnant women. For more information about this program or to schedule a dental appointment, call 410-334-3401.