Objectives: Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of perinatal and infant oral health;

2. Understand the status of children's oral health in SC;

3. Identify key oral health messages that need to be conveyed and supported within the home; and

4. Access available resources and trainings to support oral health prevention for underserved communities. 

Presenter Biographies

Mary Kenyon Jones, M.ED. Strategic Operations and Communications Advisor

Mary Kenyon Jones, M.ED. is the Strategic Operations and Communications Advisor for the Section of Oral Health at SC Department of Public Health and for the SC Oral Health Action Network. Ms. Jones is a graduate of Converse College and the University of South Carolina. She has over 25 years of experience working with numerous state agencies and non-profits supporting special projects, partnership development and strategic planning. Ms. Jones has developed oral health curricula, standards-based materials, and outreach resources for vulnerable populations. In addition, she has developed and conducted certified trainings for childcare providers, Head Start/Early Head Start programs, and other community-based entities and has presented at the state and national level.

Shawn Skinner, MPH, SC Oral Health Action Network Coordinator

Shawn M.E. Skinner is an alumnus of Alabama A/M University in Huntsville, Alabama. He earned his Master's degree in Public Health from South University in Columbia, South Carolina. Currently, he serves as the Program Coordinator for the South Carolina Oral Health Action Network, where he focuses on building a statewide safety network to address gaps in dental access and equity. His efforts at SCOHAN ensure significant strides are made to reduce dental disease and addressing dental challenges across the lifespan.