Foods That Stick, Cavity Bugs and Toothbrushes
“Let’s count teeth today”, coached Rexann Rogers while she visited a room of 3-year-olds at the Palomita Children’s Center in Safford. “And, let’s talk about cavity bugs. Hmmm. What do you think they look like?” Rexann Rogers, First Smiles Registered Nurse, thus started her series of lessons that built up to a dental screening for all the children in Kayla Soohy’s classroom.
Kayla described the four visits as well planned, developmentally appropriate, and enjoyable. “Rexann talked to the children about cavities. Everybody counted their teeth. The children drew their ideas of some very cool cavity bugs. Using a magnetic board, they learned about foods that stick to teeth and cause cavities and those that don’t stick and are better for your teeth. She also read a book to the children about brushing their teeth and visiting the dentist. All of this led up to the dental screening.”
The Graham/Greenlee First Things First Regional Council funds this oral health strategy through a grant awarded to the Graham County Cooperative Extension. This program increases young children’s access to preventative dental care through oral health screenings, fluoride varnishes and referrals for follow up treatment. A written report is sent home to families noting any presence of white spots, cavities and decay. The consultant also leaves toothbrushes and a holder for the classroom. “The children brush their teeth in the classroom every day” noted Ms Soohy. A dental health kit is also sent home with each child. Ms Soohy also reported that a laminated packet of parent resources is available in a prime location in the classroom.
When asked about the impact the program has made on her families, Ms Soohy stated that she was impressed with the follow-up. When she conducted quarterly home visits to the 17 families, she asked specifically about the oral health follow up. “What I heard was wonderful! Eleven families had already made dental appointments based on the report on that single piece of paper from Rexann! Some, as far as Tucson! It surprised me! This is making a difference!”
“There is nothing more important than early intervention”, states Rexann. “Children are not healthy if their mouths aren’t healthy. My approach is one of managing a disease – well before it manifests itself in the form of a cavity. I am focused on prevention and, when prevention is not possible, on early diagnosis. I try to help the children/parents/caregivers understand the value of oral health and develop a commitment to healthy mouth habits from a very early age. I hope this will prevent most children from ever experiencing serious dental health issues.
We as healthcare professionals are continually discovering the correlation between oral health and learning. Poor oral health has been related to decreased school performance, poor social relationships, and less success later in life. When children’s acute dental problems are treated and they are not experiencing pain, their learning and school-attendance records improve.”
And, what of the impact on the children? “Oh, that is easy”, said Kayla. Rexann comes to the class every day to pick up her son, who is in the Palomita program. I hear it every day. ‘Here comes Miss Rexann.’ She is a visible reminder of good oral health and a classroom friend. It can’t get any better than that!”