PITTSFIELD, Mass. Jan. 13, 2015—Hillcrest Dental Care (HDC) has been awarded an $1,813 grant from The Central Berkshire Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to provide free, in school, oral health education to elementary school and day care children in Berkshire County. The educational program began in 2011 and Hillcrest Dental Care is committed to educating children while they are young and excited to learn proper oral health care and good nutrition.

Children in central Berkshire County will be afforded oral health and nutrition information and supplies as part of their school day without costing their educational facilities or families. HDC hygienists in collaboration with elementary school personnel develop curriculum. HDC Hygienists will hold trainings during Oral Health Month reaching pre- K to 2nd grade children by providing 1-hour trainings in classrooms for
schools and day cares.

Poor oral hygiene can affect the health of the body, causing bacterial infections like tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Oral diseases share common risk factors with the four serious diseases: cardiovascular (heart) diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases (pneumonia), and diabetes. Some of these risk factors include overweight/obesity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol use.

According to the MA Office of Oral Health, 140 Massachusetts public water systems are fluoridated providing over 4 million residents the health and economic benefits of community water fluoridation. HDC will help address this issue with early education on
the importance of fluoride.

Tricia Hunt, Director of Dental Operations for Hillcrest Dental Care expresses the effects oral health care can have on not only adults but children as well, “Tooth decay (dental caries) affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems; such as eating, speaking, playing, and learning.

The good news is that tooth decay is preventable. Hillcrest is pleased to be able to partner with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and local Berkshire County schools in 2015 continuing to educate children on the importance of good oral health care”.

About Hillcrest Dental Care
Hillcrest Dental Care is a comprehensive general, family dentistry practice providing preventative dentistry and compassionate, quality dental treatment to meet each patient's individual needs, in a caring environment. Hillcrest Dental Care was founded in 1985 to provide quality oral healthcare to the children of Hillcrest Educational Centers for whom access to oral healthcare was a major challenge, because of their special needs. Since its establishment, Hillcrest Dental Care has steadily expanded, opening its doors to anyone in search of top-quality oral healthcare and accepts all insurances. The practice has two
locations. The first has eight treatment rooms, state-of-the-art equipment and is located at 788 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. In 2013, a second location was opened in North Adams, MA at 77 Hospital Drive, Suite 102 with four treatment rooms. More information is available at www.hillcrestdentalcare.org. Visit our Facebook page under Hillcrest Dental Care.

About Hillcrest Educational Foundation
A top area employer, Hillcrest Educational Foundation is a private not-for-profit agency serving students from across the country. Hillcrest was started as an organization that provided residential programs for students with complex psychiatric, behavioral and/or developmental disorders, including autism, and a variety of high risk behaviors. While the agency still provides these residential services, today Hillcrest also offers nonresidential day programs and services for emotionally/behaviorally disturbed students at their Housatonic Academy, general family dentistry at Hillcrest Dental Care and outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents and adults through Hillcrest Community Support Services. Hillcrest’s Administrative Offices are located at 788 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. More information is available at www.hillcrestec.org.

About Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
For over 27 years, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has built stronger communities and helped donors make a difference through charitable giving in northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY. Each year, the foundation distributes over $8 million through grants and scholarships to nonprofits and individuals in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. You can make a difference. We can help.

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Media Contact:
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Katrina Cardillo
Director of Communications
413-499-7924 ext. 114
kcardillo@hillcrestec.org