American Association of Public Health Dentistry honors Dr. Kala Smith, DMD with prestigious award.
March 25, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Douglas, Marketing and Public Relations
(417)592-4357
steven.douglas@accessfamilycare.org
www.accessfamilycare.org
American Association of Public Health Dentistry honors Dr. Kala Smith, DMD with prestigious award.
Dr. Kala Smith, Dental Director of Access Family Care, has been honored by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) as the 2025 recipient of the Richard Ferraro Award.
The Richard Ferraro Award is given by the AAPHD to honor the Director of the Dental Service in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that has developed an excellent community preventive dentistry program, and improved access to basic dental care. The Richard Ferraro Award is in honor of Dr. Richard Ferraro, who was the founding Dental Director in the first community health center in the United States, now known as the Geiger-Gibson Health Center.
The Access Family Care Mobile Dental Team and Dr. Smith were nominated for the fantastic work they are doing to improve oral health through preventative care. The Mobile Dental Unit at Access Family Care primarily serves school-age children in a large number of area school districts.
The award will be presented during the AAPHD Awards Ceremony at the 2025 National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) on Sunday, April 6, in Orlando, FL. This National Award includes $3,000 to support the operation and outreach of the Access Family Care Mobile Dental Unit. Access Family Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving six counties in mostly rural southwest Missouri. Access Family Care provides a broad range of medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare. In 2024, Access Family Care served more than 25,000 people across the region. More information may be found by navigating to www.accessfamilycare.org
Inquiries may be directed to Steve Douglas, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.
Access Family Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the people of southwest Missouri. Its clinics are in Lamar, Carthage, Joplin, Neosho, Anderson, Monett, Cassville, and Aurora. Last year, Access Family Care provided health services to more than 25,000 people across our area. With more than 370 employees, Access Family Care has grown to become one of the larger FQHCs in the State of Missouri.
Serving you,
Steve Douglas
Director of Marketing / Public Relations
ACCESS Family Care Medical & Dental Clinics
475 Nelson Avenue
Neosho, Mo. 64850
417.592-4357
www.accessfamilycare.org
