USA - Ann Arbor hygienist honored for work with preschoolers
Q: Tell us about the "Smiles for a Lifetime" Head Start dental care program.
A: Twice a year we go into the Head Start schools and perform sessions of (fluoride varnish treatments). We also do dental screening exams to try to assess the need for further care, and to get the (students) referred to dental offices in the area.
We did fluoride varnish for about 550 children in October and November of this year. In April, we're planning to go back.
Fluoride varnish is a sticky substance that provides fluoride to the enamel of the teeth. It's long lasting - about eight to 24 hours.
Q: Why do you think this program is important?
A: Underserved children have a lot of decay in their teeth, in their front teeth especially. (Fluoride varnish) is really good to strengthen their teeth and arrest the decay.
... The more prevention we can give the (students) earlier, the better it's going to be for their learning. They can learn better if they don't have a toothache. These kids don't always have all the opportunities a lot of other children have.
Not only are we instructing children in good dental practice, but we're instructing parents that it's important to take your kids to the dentist before they have a toothache.
This is a program we provide as a free service to the children and their families. We're not paid - we're volunteers.
Q: How long will this program remain?
A: We have a state grant this year for the program ... but it's unclear if it will continue. We're probably fine for next year - hopefully with community resources or Head Start money, we can continue it. We're trying to be really cost-effective.
A: Twice a year we go into the Head Start schools and perform sessions of (fluoride varnish treatments). We also do dental screening exams to try to assess the need for further care, and to get the (students) referred to dental offices in the area.
We did fluoride varnish for about 550 children in October and November of this year. In April, we're planning to go back.
Fluoride varnish is a sticky substance that provides fluoride to the enamel of the teeth. It's long lasting - about eight to 24 hours.
Q: Why do you think this program is important?
A: Underserved children have a lot of decay in their teeth, in their front teeth especially. (Fluoride varnish) is really good to strengthen their teeth and arrest the decay.
... The more prevention we can give the (students) earlier, the better it's going to be for their learning. They can learn better if they don't have a toothache. These kids don't always have all the opportunities a lot of other children have.
Not only are we instructing children in good dental practice, but we're instructing parents that it's important to take your kids to the dentist before they have a toothache.
This is a program we provide as a free service to the children and their families. We're not paid - we're volunteers.
Q: How long will this program remain?
A: We have a state grant this year for the program ... but it's unclear if it will continue. We're probably fine for next year - hopefully with community resources or Head Start money, we can continue it. We're trying to be really cost-effective.
posted by Bill at
10:25 AM
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