Students Recognized for Preventive Dentistry Activities

Natalie Laucius (D’14), 2013 ADEA/Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Preventive Dentistry Scholarship recipient with Dr. Joan Gluch, Director of Community Oral Health. Recipient Scott Kim (D’13) as unable to attend the awards presentation.

Philadelphia — Penn Dental Medicine students Natalie Laucius (D’14) and Scott Kim (D’13) were recognized for their work in the community as recipients of a 2013 American Dental Education Association (ADEA)/Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Preventive Dentistry Scholarship. Awarded to just 12 students nationwide, the purpose of these scholarships is to support predoctoral dental students who have demonstrated academic excellence in preventive dentistry.

Laucius was recognized for her achievements in increasing access to dental care in the Homeless Health Initiative program of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP); through this program, predoctoral dental students join pediatric medical and dental residents from CHOP to visit shelters that serve women and children. Kim was recognized for his research activities in the Division of Community Oral Health in documenting outcomes of the PennSmiles program, the School’s mobile dental clinic that provides comprehensive dental care to children at schools and community centers.

“We are so pleased that both Natalie and Scott have received national recognition for their efforts in improving access to care for our neighbors in West Philadelphia,” says Dr. Joan Gluch, Director of Community Oral Health and Associate Dean for Academic Policies.

The scholarship awards were presented on March, 19, 2013 at the ADEA Annual Session in Seattle, Washington. Each scholarship recipient will have $2,500 applied to tuition and fees for predoctoral dental study. Recipients, who must not only demonstrate a strong interest in preventive dentistry but also possess a superior academic record, are nominated by the dean of his or her dental school or the dean’s designate.