PI Rehab, ACAP unite in oral health effort
PRESQUE ISLE — A recent grant award will allow the Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. to join forces with the Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center to further nursing students’ oral health education.
The $5,000 grant was awarded by the American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation.
“Thanks to this grant award, we are able to partner with Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center to incorporate an oral health education module into the training program for certified nursing assistants (CNAs),” explained Sue Powers, ACAP Family Services Senior Manager. “Recognizing this is a need in our community, local dentists provided letters of support for this project.”
ACAP oral health specialists are working closely with Robin Stetson, RN, director of nursing at PIRNC, to integrate the new training.
“We are excited to partner with ACAP on this project,” said Stetson. “ACAP oral health educator Anne Chapman and dental hygienist Lucy Morin will work with me to train currently employed nurses and CNAs on best practices in senior oral health care.”
Chapman will also work with SAD #1 Adult Education in training CNA students in oral health care for seniors.
ACAP has been the provider of oral health coordination and outreach services and the school based sealant program in Aroostook County for 30 years. Each year the organization’s oral health community education specialist and dental hygienist provide prevention services through education and direct service delivery to approximately 4,000 adults and children.
