Media Advisory: UB celebrates National Prosthodontics Awareness Week with a proclamation from Mayor Byron Brown

BUFFALO, N.Y. – City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will appear at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 1 in Squire Hall to proclaim Apr. 6 through Apr. 12 National Prosthodontics Awareness Week in Buffalo (NPAW).

Prosthodontists are dentists with three additional years of training after dental school and provide care for patients who are missing teeth including dental implants, dentures and treatment of congenital oral problems.

With approximately 178 million people in the U.S. missing at least one tooth, increased awareness about proper oral health is critical. From proper denture care techniques to the importance of an annual oral cancer screening, NPAW takes this week-long celebration to inform the public about how to best care for missing teeth and the benefits of seeing a prosthodontist.

Marshall Fagin, DDS, clinical associate professor in the UB Department of Restorative Dentistry, is coordinating UB’s NPAW 2014 efforts, including the proclamation.

Fagin speaks about the importance of being able to show your smile—how replacing missing teeth has turned patients’ lives around, allowing them to apply for jobs and feel more confident.

Fagin also adds that he wanted to use NPAW to raise awareness “of all the contributions that prosthodontists and all branches of dentistry are doing on a pro bono basis to give back a smile to those in need.

“The UB Dental School has taken a leadership role in achieving higher levels of dental health in Buffalo. One example is the soon to open Dental Clinic at 1500 Broadway which will be part of the Erie County Health Mall,” Fagin said. 

Besides Mayor Brown, Michael Glick, DMD, and dean of the UB dental school will be in attendance as well as many leaders from the local dental health community.

The festivities will also be an opportunity to recognize key players who provide free dental services in the community: the St. Apollonian Guild through Catholic Charities and the Good Neighbors Health Care Clinic on Jefferson Ave. Local corporate representatives from Ivoclar-Vivadent will also be in attendance.