Health Promotion Specialists (HPS) was created in June 2000 as a catalyst to slow the devastating effects of dental disease in South Carolina. Although preventable, dental disease is the number one chronic disease of children and the second costliest disease to treat in the United States – more costly than cancer and diabetes. HPS focuses on preventing dental disease and teaching children to make wise choices that will positively affect their overall health and future.
A Comprehensive, Collaborative Health Team
- Partners with school districts and communities to provide preventive health education and oral health services
- Refers children to local doctors, dentists, speech therapists, etc. for any additionally needed services
- Works with community resources and participates in community activities to promote health
A Winning situation
for all involved
- Children win by having less cavities and pain
- School districts win through children’s improved health and thereby increased opportunities to learn
- Community providers win by increased referrals for needed care
- Tax payers win through prevention of disease rather than having to pay for more costly treatment
HPS is different
from other programs
- Other programs look for holes (cavities) in children’s teeth to either refer for repair or fix them on site
- HPS’ goal is to prevent the holes (cavities). We refer children for needed care, but our primary goal is prevention
- Historically speaking, healthcare has controlled and stopped disease with prevention (i.e., small pox, polio, and hepatitis B) Treating the diseases did not slow them or stop them. It takes prevention.
- Dental sealants are the “immunization” to fight tooth decay.
Since the HPS school-based program has began, the status of oral health has changed for the better in South Carolina’s children
Administrative Support Staff
Tammi O. Byrd, RDH
CEO/Clinical Director
Shana Burchell
Administrative Executive Assistant
Laura Hancock, RDH
Professional Relations Coordinator/Inventory Control
Wedge SC
Infrastructure Management, Database Services
Our Associate Dentists
Edward E. Herschaft, DDS
Laura Walls, DMD
Professional and Clinical Staff
Dental hygienists are the preventive specialists of the dental team. All of our services are provided by registered dental hygienists.
Each HPS RDH is recognized by an accredited dental hygiene program, has passed national and state boards, is licensed by the state, has additional training in child abuse awareness and prevention, cultural awareness and is certified in adult and child CPR, AED, and infant CPR.
Registered Dental Hygienists
- Tracey Buddin, RDH — Florence 3 (Lake City), Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester 4
- Kelley Cato, RDH — Lexington 2 &4, Richland 2, York 1, 2 (Clover), Bamberg and Marlboro
- Amber Dominquez, RDH — Spartanburg 2 & 3, Union, SC Public Charters
- Kim Fulmer, RDH — Lexington 3 & 5, Edgefield and Saluda
- Judy Godfrey, RDH — Greenwood 51 (Ware Shoals) & 52 (Ninety-Six), Spartanburg 4 (Woodruff) and Union
- Shaye Dase, RDH — McCormick, Pickens, Abbeville and Anderson 1,2,3,4,5
- Angela Sacco, RDH — Lexington 1, Orangeburg and Calhoun
- Shawna Saldana, RDH — Charleston and Colleton
*All staff undergo background checks through the National Center for Safety Initiatives
To inquire about becoming an HPS team member, contact us today.
We know that a vast number of the clients we see in school-based settings have numerous obstacles that get in the way of making and keeping appointments, especially appointments for things that are not broken or hurting – such as a cleaning appointment.
By offering this service in a familiar surrounding, we increase acceptance and it gives us the opportunity to establish communication with the parents. We have seen that more children are making it to offices for restorative appointments since we started in the schools . Most of them have not been going on a regular basis in previous years. We do not perform exams or radiographs, thereby allowing the office treatment planning restorative services to have that ability.
When we see a child at the school we have the opportunity to refer them each time to a dental office. This helps reinforce the need for regular exams and radiographs, and of course, all of the necessary restorative work.
We welcome restorative partners to help us complete the comprehensive care cycle. It is “teamwork” at its best. We will send the names of our restorative partners home with each child, list them in school newsletter articles, and on our display boards at health fairs, and other events we participate in.
We are able to share information with referral partners concerning the care specific children received and vice-versa. This is not possible without an agreement due to HIPAA regulations. It also helps prevent the duplication of services that deplete the Medicaid dollars available for restorative and emergency care. It allows us all to be accountable and responsible.
To inquire about becoming a restorative partner, contact us today.
Health Promotion Specialists partners with school districts in an effort to lessen the high rate of dental disease in SC.
As part of a comprehensive health team, we also refer any children with additional treatment needs to local pediatricians, nurse practitioners, speech therapists, dentists, etc.
CDC Division of Oral Health
Darkness to Light
To inquire about becoming a prevention partner, contact us today.
Please look at the following information: Cost of Dental Disease