Page 18 - COM Outlook - Winter 2013

Institute for Special Needs
Dentistry Relocates to North Miami
18 COM Outlook . Winter 2013
North Miami Beach serves as home to a unique facility that provides
specialized dental care for persons with disabilities now that the College
of Dental Medicine’s Institute for Special Needs Dentistry relocated
there in October to provide comprehensive dental and oral health care for
individuals with developmental or acquired disabilities.
Populations served at the clinic include: persons with developmen-
tal disabilities such as autism or cerebral palsy; acquired and other
types of disabilities such as traumatic brain or spinal-cord injuries and
stroke; mental illness and behavioral management challenges; complex
medical conditions or compromised medical status; significant physical
or mobility limitations; and the frail elderly. When needed, care may
be provided under conscious sedation, and when appropriate, under
general anesthesia in the operating rooms at Broward Health Hospital
Systems, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and Memorial Regional
Hospital by NSU dental faculty and students.
The clinic serves a unique role in the health care landscape by fo-
cusing exclusively on the care of persons with special health needs. Not
only is the clinic a valuable community-based local resource, but it also
serves many individuals and their caregivers as well as residents of vari-
ous group homes for those with disabilities from beyond the local area. In
fact, patients travel to the clinic from across Florida because the special-
ized services and care they need are not available in their area.
Florida’s Only Decision 2012
Senate Debate Hosted at NSU
On October 17, Florida’s two U.S. senatorial candidates—incum-
bent Democrat Bill Nelson and his Republican challenger, U.S. Repre-
sentative Connie Mack —squared off in their only face-to-face debate
at NSU’s Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, which was
televised live throughout the state of Florida.
NSU undergraduates and community members watched the de-
bate live. In addition, student viewing parties were held on the main
campus and at each NSU Student Educational Center. The debate
sponsors and partners included Leadership Florida®, the Florida
Press Association, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Blue, Flori-
da Credit Unions, AARP, and the Claude Pepper Foundation.
Following the debate, NSU and Florida Blue hosted the inaugural
post-debate analysis Webcast featuring moderator Kevin Corke, a for-
mer White House correspondent for NBC News. During the Webcast,
Corke interviewed a panel of experts that included prominent political
leaders, journalists, professors, representatives of both candidates’
campaigns, and star high school debaters.
Senatorial Debate…Dentistry Institute…
Diversity Summit…Coral Reef Center
Last year, NSU’s Institute for Special Needs Dentistry’s faculty
members, residents, and students cared for more than 1,300 patients
with various conditions across the special needs spectrum, who visited
the clinic more than 7,300 times.
Representative Connie Mack (left) debates U.S. Senator Bill Nelson,
who defeated Mack in last November’s general election.