This funding has helped advance the department’s mission to promote oral health and expand community-based care, ensuring that children in Alachua County have greater access to high-quality preventive dental services.
UF Medical Guild’s Impactful Support
The University of Florida College of Dentistry’s Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science (CDBS) has received a 2025 UF Medical Guild Grant to support its ongoing efforts to expand access to care through school-based dental outreach programs in Alachua County. The funded project, “Enhancing Mobile Dental Services for Alachua County Children,” provides $5,600 for the purchase of portable pediatric dental chairs and carrying cases. These additions will strengthen the program’s ability to deliver preventive dental services directly within school settings.
CDBS’s school-based programs focus on improving access to oral health care for children who may otherwise face barriers to receiving services, including transportation and financial challenges. By delivering care on-site at elementary and middle schools throughout Alachua County, the program helps ensure that children receive essential preventive services in a familiar and convenient environment. The portable, child-friendly dental chairs enhance both patient comfort and the efficiency of care delivery in these non-traditional clinical settings. The equipment also supports providers by improving mobility and clinical ergonomics as they move between school sites.