SANFORD - The Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the CCCC Dental Program in honor of Dr. Antonio S. Braithwaite of Sanford Pediatric Dentistry. In addition, the Simulation Lab at the Keller Health Sciences Building will be named in honor of Sanford Pediatric Dentistry.

"The main reason why I decided to make a contribution to the CCCC Foundation is because I wanted to help relieve some of the financial burdens that students encounter when seeking an education as a means to advance in life," said Dr. Braithwaite, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Dental School. "I thought that scholarship programs in the Dental Assisting and the Dental Hygiene programs would be a great way to help students struggle less financially, while at the same time allowing me to show my immense appreciation for the contributions that the programs have made to the citizens in our community.

"Additionally, I wanted to honor the amazing faculty who have welcomed me with open arms when I first came to Sanford in 2008. Those faculty members have poured their hearts and souls into teaching and preparing students," said Dr. Braithwaite. "Since coming to Sanford and opening my practice doors, the CCCC Dental faculty has supported me in an unwavering fashion. We work together to educate students and patients while treating oral disease, specifically oral disease in vulnerable and underinsured populations throughout Lee County and the surrounding areas."

Dr. Emily Hare, CCCC Foundation Executive Director, said that Dr. Braithwaite is simply amazing. "As an employer of many of our Dental Program graduates, he understands the value of their education and how hard they work to earn their degrees," said Dr. Hare. "His generosity ensures that students for generations will be able to succeed and make a difference in the dental world. We couldn't be more grateful for his support and the way he gives back to our students, the college, and the community."

Lisa Godfrey, CCCC Dean of Health Sciences and Human Services, also has great praise for Dr. Braithwaite. "Dr. Antonio Braithwaite has been instrumental in Central Carolina Community College Dental Programs establishing a strong Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting program that ensures graduates meet the demands of the dental industry," she said. "Dr. Braithwaite supports Central Carolina Community College Dental Programs through allowing Sanford Pediatric Dentistry to serve as a Dental Assisting student rotation site and establishing scholarships. Dr. Braithwaite also volunteers and provides the opportunity for his staff to volunteer at the annual CCCC Give Kids A Smile event, which has been instrumental to the success of the event. In addition, he serves as a guest lecturer, participates in mock interviews, and mentors new graduates, which serves to prepare Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting students to enter into the workforce. We could not put student learning first without the support of Dr. Antonio Braithwaite and the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team!"

Dr. Braithwaite said the CCCC Dental Programs truly give the citizens in our community a chance to receive outstanding training as oral health professionals. "Both the Dental Assisting and Registered Dental Hygiene programs use state-of-the-art facilities to teach students and prepare them for real world experiences," said Dr. Braithwaite.

Dr. Braithwaite said he thinks others should consider contributing to the CCCC Foundation because the Foundation is in place to help students achieve. "Students are the number one reason why educators at CCCC perform at such a high level and do a phenomenal job," said Dr. Braithwaite. "Knowing that you are supporting students who are trying to better themselves and their communities is the best reason I can think of as to why one should give to the amazing CCCC Foundation."

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, Central Carolina Community College. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of the college and uses them to promote its educational mission and assist students through scholarships and grants.

For more information about the Foundation, its work and events, visit www.cccc.edu/foundation .

To learn more about the Central Carolina Community College Dental Program, visit www.cccc.edu/dental.

To learn more about Central Carolina Community College, visit www.cccc.edu.