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Friday, February 7, 2025

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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

NC Dental Society Foundation aids dentists after Hurricane Helene

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Thursday, January 9, 2025   

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many dentists in Western North Carolina faced devastating losses, from damaged practices to destroyed homes. The North Carolina Dental Society Foundation is stepping in to help them. The group launched an emergency relief grant program to help dentists get back on their feet.

Dr. Ruma Simhan, former president of the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation, said the recovery efforts are about more than rebuilding practices; they're about restoring vital oral health services to communities that need them most.

"A lot of dentists we hear from, their practice is damaged or lost altogether, and they're trying to find a way to go back to their community and serve their patients," she explained. "And so they just really need help getting back on their feet."

She added that the goal is to make sure that critical health care gets back to communities where access was already limited.

Simhan said the foundation isn't stopping at grant funding. Through partnerships with local organizations, it launched an oral hygiene supply drive, collecting more than 25,000 items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss for impacted residents. Collaborations with Valley Strong Disaster Relief and Blue Ridge Tae Kwon Do helped transform community spaces into relief centers, while dental associations across the country sent donations to expand support efforts. Simhan said these initiatives are helping ensure oral health remains a priority.

"Oral health is truly important to one's overall health. And it cannot be stated enough that if one part of the state struggles for access, has dentists that cannot work in the area then that really affects that community to obtain its optimal health," she continued.

The foundation is still accepting grant applications and donations to support recovery efforts. Simhan said with rural communities in Western North Carolina already facing limited access to dental care, getting these practices back up and running is critical. More information is available on the foundation's website.

Disclosure: North Carolina Dental Society contributes to our fund for reporting on Education, Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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