Mobile dental clinic visits Brookhaven students

Attempting to convince students early in life that visiting the dentist is a good thing, a familiar name in oral health care rolled into a school parking lot to provide some pre-holiday screenings.

At Brookhaven Elementary School in Killeen, students stepped onto a mobile dental clinic Friday where dentist Dr. Camille Jackson screened for warning signs and provided hygiene tips.

The Colgate Mobile Unit staff urged students to take care of their oral health through brushing and flossing and drinking water and to consider dental visits a strategy to avoid pain and possible disease.

“There are some children who haven’t gone to the dentist,” Jackson said, “and some only go when they are in pain.”

The mobile dental screening allowed students to step onto the colorful van and sit in an actual dental chair where the dentist looked into mouths for screening.

After the brief screen, students received goodie bags and T-shirts.

“We want them to have a comfortable experience and to be educated about what to do so they won’t have health issues,” Jackson said.

Caring for teeth and visiting a dentist regularly can prevent missing school and costly medical care, she said during a presentation to students.

Some parents think dental care is not important if children still have their primary teeth, Jackson said. However, even young people are susceptible to infection.

Brookhaven school nurse Brenda Wagener said the free dental screening was valuable to families at the school.

“It’s a way to give important dental information to children in a fun way,” Wagener said. “This may be the first time some of them have seen a dentist. I think it heightens awareness.”

The Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures material urges parents to establish a fun, regular brushing and flossing routine and to lead children to take responsibility for their oral hygiene.

“Some students are seeing a dentist regularly and this validates what they are hearing,” Wagener said. “This might start a conversation at home and make dental visits a regular routine.”

Source: http://kdhnews.com/living/mobile-dental-clinic-visits-brookhaven-students/article_eadbb284-a093-11e5-a24f-6782c3d1c608.html

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