SDM Prof Named VP of Project Stretch
Kathleen Held has provided dental care to third world children for more than two years as a volunteer for Project Stretch: Dentistry Reaching Out to Children. Now the Goldman School of Dental Medicine assistant professor of general dentistry is the group’s vice president, chosen September 20.
Project Stretch is a nonprofit organization that brings dental services to disadvantaged children worldwide, funds oral health improvement projects for special-needs children, develops educational materials to train dental staff in impoverished areas, and helps to provide equipment for dental outreach clinics.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for an adventure while doing tremendous good,” says Held, who has traveled to Nicaragua and Mexico with the group since joining Project Stretch and becoming a board member in 2005. “This is what I’ve always wanted.”
Held will return to Rio San Juan, Nicaragua, in early 2008 on her next mission with Project Stretch. On a previous trip to the region, in February 2007, she and other volunteers did not have adequate supplies for the thousands of children who needed care; they were nonetheless able to do more than 250 temporary dental restorations and give more than 600 children their first toothbrush. “The need was so incredible,” Held says. “I don’t think anyone could have been prepared.”
Rebecca McNamara can be reached at ramc@bu.edu.