Maine pediatric dentist Jonathan Shenkin, DDS, MPH, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Grant to improve oral health in Belarus.
Dr. Shenkin is a clinical associate professor in the department of health policy and health services research and the department of pediatric dentistry at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). He also maintains private practices in Augusta and Waterville, ME.
The purpose of the grant is to develop curriculum and to teach and train pediatricians in Belarus about the oral health of young children from 6 months to 3 years of age at the Belarusian State Medical University during the 2014-2015 academic year, according to Boston University.
Dr. Shenkin will spend 14 days at the university engaged in various activities, including the development and delivering of a curriculum to help enhance the ability of physicians to improve the oral health literacy of parents and caregivers in Belarus. The ultimate goal is to reduce disease levels through enhanced prevention.
"It's a tremendous honor to be given the opportunity to work with my colleagues in Belarus in improving oral health for children through enhanced prevention," Dr. Shenkin stated in a press release. "Everyone has been incredibly hospitable throughout the process of developing this collaboration."
"The outstanding quality of the faculty at GSDM has always been a hallmark of the education provided to our students and this honor raises the profile of our faculty even further," said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, DMD. "I am very proud that Dr. Shenkin continues to serve on our faculty while also serving patients in Maine and now colleagues and patients in Belarus."
Dr. Shenkin earned his dental degree from Columbia University in New York and received a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He completed a dental public health residency at the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Shenkin serves as first vice president of the ADA and is the organization's spokesperson for pediatric dentistry topics. He regularly comments on public policy issues related to tobacco, unhealthy beverages, and a broad range of dental topics.
He is a past president of the Maine Dental Association and served as chair of the Maine Dental Political Action Committee. Dr. Shenkin also is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Shenkin is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in 2014-2015.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, a division of the Institute of International Education. Operating in more than 155 countries, the program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries.
