La Historia
The 2005 Lexington Hispanic population was estimated at 50,000--an increase of over 135% since 1990. As the greater Lexington area continues to experience a sizable influx of Latin American immigrants and migrants, the demand for accessible healthcare of all types has grown proportionally.
In response, the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has welcomed the challenge of its role in facilitating access to oral healthcare for Kentuckians of all walks of life. In an effort to better meet the needs of the growing number of Spanish speaking patients, UK dental student Stephen Holm ('04) and faculty advisor Dr. Cynthia Beeman established the local chapter of the University of Kentucky Hispanic Dental Association (UKHDA) in 2003. Dr. Juan Yepes assumed the role of HDA faculty advisor in the spring of 2006.
UKHDA has enjoyed the enthusiastic support of students and faculty alike in its work with the Latino community.
Programas
UKHDA is intent on supporting the institutional objectives of the national HDA through two key components:
- Optimizing local access to oral healthcare for the Hispanic community; and
- Enhancing the cultural and service opportunities of the UK College of Dentistry studentbody.
To this end, UKHDA actively supports a wide variety of college and community activites including,
Hispanic Health Fairs
UK Saturday Morning Clinic
Health Missions
Partner Student Organizations
¡Abra la Boca! Dental Spanish Course
Clinic Spanish Interpreters
UKCD/UKHDA/Lexington Hispanic Association ¡Adelante! Award
UK Spring Clinic
Student Research
Guest Lectures
