For Immediate Release: October 27, 2008

Contacts: Barbara Dab, 818. 783.1627

Stacey Nickens, 615.775.8601                                                                

MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY PASSES OUT “LESSONS IN A LUNCH BOX” INSTEAD OF CANDY FOR HALLOWEEN

Nashville, Tenn – Hundreds of local elementary school students will be getting good oral health “Lessons in a Lunch Box” for Halloween, instead of the traditional handful of candy thanks to the junior dental class from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry.

On Friday, October 31, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at Inglewood Elementary, located1700 Riverside Drive, Nashville, TN 37216, students will gather for an informational assembly focused on good oral health. They will also receive a kit filled with a toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste, a cartoon showing the proper way to brush and floss and information about dental schools in the United States.

“The timing of the program could not be better to help reduce the intake of sweet treats that some children will go door to door to claim on Halloween. This program can really help to motivate kids to think more about brushing after meals and enjoying healthy foods instead of consuming large amounts of candy,” said Edwin Hines, D.D.S, Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Meharry.

“Lessons In A Lunch Box: Healthy Teeth Essentials & Facts About Snacks” is a national campaign that was initiated by Meharry alumnus Dr. Winifred J. Booker, D.D.S. Dr. Booker is currently with the Maryland Children’s Oral Health Institute. He will be presenting information to the students at Inglewood along with Walter Owens, D.D.S., Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and President-elect National Dental Association.

About Meharry Medical College

Meharry Medical College, a United Methodist Church affiliated school, is the nation’s largest private, independent, historically black academic health center dedicated solely to educating minority and other health professionals. Diverse Issues in Higher Education’s ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees, and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences. The School of Dentistry is one of two dental programs in Tennessee, the only historically black dental school in Tennessee and one of 56 dental programs in the United States.

###