ODAF awards nearly $100,000 in grants and scholarship in Ohio in 2012
Pitsburg student among beneficiaries 

COLUMBUS, OH, September 21, 2012 … The Ohio Dental Association Foundation (ODAF), largely supported by Ohio Dental Association member dentists, has funded over $640,000 in grants and scholarships for Ohio dental students and dental care/education programs in since 1995. Of this amount, $94,800 was just awarded through the 2012 grants and scholarship process – the highest amount awarded in a single year to date. 

A total of $38,000 was awarded to 10 Ohio students studying to be a dentist at either the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine or The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Criteria include academic excellence, Ohio residency and financial need. These scholarship recipients are among the top students in their classes and are active in many dental and non-dental volunteer activities. 

Dental students receiving scholarships this year are listed below: 

Michael Border (OSU)    $5,000  Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio

Kate Cartwright (CWRU) $2,500  Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio

Jessica Chrzanowski (CWRU)     $3,000  Hometown: Broadview Heights, Ohio

Caitlin Glover (OSU)      $2,500  Hometown: Galion, Ohio

Elias Haddad (CWRU)   $2,000  Hometown: Mayfield Heights, Ohio       

Logan Halderman (OSU)            $6,000  Hometown: Pitsburg, Ohio

Andrew Hansen (OSU)   $5,000  Hometown: Powell, Ohio

Michael Pappas (OSU)  $4,000  Hometown: Parma, Ohio

Nathan Prueter (OSU)    $4,000  Hometown: Alliance, Ohio

Julia Salmeron (CWRU)  $4,000  Hometown: Lakewood, Ohio 

In addition, $4,300 was collectively awarded to four students studying to become an expanded function dental assistant and one studying dental hygiene. Two of these students received their scholarships through the Akron Dental Society Claypool Fund, one of nine designated funds within the ODAF. 

This year, the ODA Foundation also funded the most grants and at the highest dollar amounts to date, with $52,500 awarded for six grants as shown below.  “The foundation is making a significant difference to community programs that serve the less fortunate,” said Dr. Jack Spratt, ODAF chairman. “Our members continue to create strong programs and respond to the needs of their communities – and the Foundation is pleased that we could help make a difference for those less fortunate,” he added. The grants awarded will help: 

Stark County Dental Society’s volunteer program to provide free dentures to uninsured veterans. This is the society’s first annual event to help local veterans. This program received $2,500. 

Access Mahoning Valley, a program of the Corydon Palmer Dental Society through which volunteer dentists provide free care to uninsured residents at evening clinics. This program will also utilize the Smile Station II mobile dental unit. This program received an $8,000 grant. 

Dentist volunteers with the W.D. Miller Dental Society who provide emergency surgical care at Look up Dental Clinic, a free clinic in Newark. In its first 10 months of operations, this clinic helped 800 adults. This program received $9,000, with $1,500 from the ODAF Operating Fund and $7,500 funded by the Bob & Peg Hinkle Family Fund. 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry as it provides dental screening, care and oral health education to low-income pregnant teens, partnering with Grant-Riverside Hospital’s Prenatal Mobile Unit. The grant amount was $9,000 – $4,000 from the Don Bowers Fund and $5,000 from the ODAF Operating Fund.