GMCT Announces Preston Oral Health Initiative

March 21st, 2008

MORGANTOWN - the Greater Morgantown Community Trust (GMCT) announces the award of a $15,000 mini-grant from the West Virginia Grantmakers Improving Oral Health program.This program, made possible by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, offers financial assistance in the form of a grant to community foundations, affiliate community foundations, and countywide or larger area funds serving West Virginia.The overall intent of the program is to improve oral health among children and pregnant women.GMCT Executive Director Paula Martinelli said that, “dental disease is the single most prevalent chronic disease, but it is almost 100% preventable.Research shows that children and pregnant women in West Virginia are particularly at risk for this disease.”  

The Greater Morgantown Community Trust Oral Health Initiative Project was developed to promote oral health, prevent dental disease, and reduce health disparities that exist for low-income children and/or pregnant women in Preston County, West Virginia.The Preston County Health Department (PCHD) and Preston Memorial Hospital (PMH) are co-grant writers and partners for this project.   According to PCHD Administrator Denise Knoebel, “studies show a link between infectious oral disease and distressed babies.The National Institutes of Health suspect that bacteria and toxins from gum disease enter a woman’s bloodstream and cause inflammation that triggers premature labor.West Virginia has the fifth-highest rate of low birth-weight babies in the nation and ranks seventh-highest for the percentage of premature births.”   

PMH Grant Writer Jennifer Funk said that, “grant funds will be used to provide free or reduced rate dental exams and cleanings for low-income pregnant women and pre-school children in Preston County.The project will also pay for transportation costs associated with the dental visits.Anyone wishing to participate should call the Preston County Health Department at (304) 329-0096.”  

Martinelli said that, “we would like to thank West Virginia Grantmakers and the Benedum Foundation for this wonderful opportunity to help serve the public with this worthwhile need.” If you would like more information about this topic, please call Jennifer Funk at 304-329-1400 Ext. 742 or email Jennifer at jfunk@prestonmemorial.org