CHCS - Perspectives Winter/Spring 2016

74 • NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY NSU News of Note Dentists and other health care providers who treat patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require special training to understand the skills and techniques needed to care for this growing population. To assist in this effort, NSU’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM) received a $3,398,452 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide training to pediatric dentistry and advanced education in general dentistry residents over a five-year period. The program will include the development of a curriculum addressing the transition of children and adolescents with ASD to adult dental care and aims to increase access to dental care for children and adolescents with special health care needs such as ASD. Currently, NSU’s College of Dental Medicine has pediatric special needs dental clinics at NSU’s Mailman Segal Center for Human Development in Davie, NSU Dental Care at Kids In Distress in Fort Lauderdale, and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, along with an adult special needs dental clinic in North Miami Beach. ■ Oscar Padilla, D.D.S., associate professor (left), and Sirisha Giovindaiah, D.D.S., pediatric dental resident (right), treat pediatric patient Silas Golubchik. CDM Gets Nearly $3.4-Million Autism Grant for ASD Training This project is 100% financed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number D88HP20126 and Postdoctoral Training in General, Pediatric and Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene for $3,398,452. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.