subject: Teeth Cleanings For Elementary Students [print this page] This article is in no way an advertisement, and it does not promote any one company, organization, or group. Rather, it is to spread the word about free and low care dental health services, popping up across the country, and helping those in need.
A dental health organization made a trip to an Ohio elementary school on Friday, as they scrubbed, flossed, and x-rayed the teeth of several students - about sixty. With fewer and fewer American families receiving dental care through their employers, non-profit and lower cost dental care programs are becoming more and more popular across the country. The team that visited the school, one of the organizations offering these services, also visited other institutions in the Sandusky, OH area.
Kelli Rodriguez-Laws, a dental assistant for the group, indicated that "most of these kids wouldn't see a doctor if we didn't come." Along with Sue Jones and Ronald Bell, Kelli setup x-ray and suction machines, reclining chairs, and equipment trays in the Ontario Elementary gymnasium. Cleanings and routine dental exams were provided to dozens of students throughout the day. We should note that Sue Jones is a dental hygienist, and Ronald Bell, a retired oral surgeon. With their skills and experience combined, the team of three helped take the first steps in reclaiming oral health for many of the school's children.
Ronald Bell, happy to be back from recent retirement, believes that his "job is to wear the funny shoes and entertain the kids. The idea, besides the preventive thing, is to try to set it up so the kids aren't afraid of the dentist." Despite the team's attitude and constant reassurance, many students were still apprehensive prior to the exam. Bell tried to ease the tension - he complimented the children on their names and hairstyles as they took the chair in preparation for their check-ups. Bell and the rest of the team do whatever it takes to make the children feel comfortable, and at ease, while their teeth are being cleaned and x-rayed.
Taylor King, a 9 year old, was nervous about the fact that she might have cavities. "Everything's in your mouth, everything's going in there. I'm afraid I might have cavities," she stated. Her eyes bulged as she tensed up during her cleaning, but, her mouth was cavity free and she recognized that her fears were for naught in the end.
All of the children serviced are initially signed up for teeth cleanings by their parents or guardians. Where insurance or Medicaid payments are possible, the organization seeks funds via those methods. When not, parents are offered the opportunity to pay greatly reduced fees, and in some cases, are not be charged at all; when and if dentists can cover the full cost through private grants. In the end, no child is ever turned away because they can't afford a dental checkup. Furthermore, the school district or school itself are never charged for the services. Some children have not received dental care on any level for years, but a handful of caring organizations will continue to do everything in their power to change that statistic.
by: Paul Guenther
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