#16 Community Transitional School

THREE MILLION DOLLARS in donated dental services!!!!  Our new milestone was reached last week at The Community Transitional School.  There is a tremendous amount of mileage in that figure: touching lives, changing smiles, volunteer and sponsor support, giving back, and providing positive dental experiences to children throughout Oregon.

The Community Transitional School that serves Portland’s homeless population sits at the busy intersection of NE Killingsworth & NE Cully in Portland.  And this week was particularly noisy with PGE jackhammers adding to our generator noise.  Holding kids attention for screening was a competition with the PSU literacy program that was also taking place simultaneously in the cafeteria. This small school really utilizes their space to accommodate important resources that benefit their students.

Chaos aside this is a great school for us to visit; as the kids came off the buses and headed into school they asked, “Am I on your schedule?“  All were excited to ask if they were going to get to come on the Tooth Taxi today.

Photos:

Volunteers:

Pre-dent student Dan Reynolds
Pediatric dentist Dr. Michelle Skierkowski and assistant Dana Hendryx-Korpi

Other notes:

75% of students screened needed treatment
25% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Community Transitional School, Portland, April 14-18, 2012

• 52 students screened
• 0 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 32 appointments in the van
• $18,550 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – April 18, 2012

• 11,356 students screened
• 10,583 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,955 students treated in the van
• $3,011.775 value of free dental services provided.

Additional notes:

A note from Culver Elementary Principal Garber:

I get a lump in my throat when I think about what your crew was able to provide for our children what no one else could!  I shared the overall numbers and dollar figures with our School Board, they were amazed.

I can’t thank you enough for arranging for services for our students!  All the love in the world can’t fix a decaying tooth- thanks for taking such great care of our most in need students, which shows we all love them!

If I can be of any assistance in singing the Tooth Taxi praises to others, please call on me.

Gratefully,
Stefanie Garber
Culver School District
Elementary Principal & Superintendent

And, lastly, a report on school absenteeism due to dental pain:
The Lund Report – School District’s Achievement Compacts will Include Absenteeism

#15 Culver

We met Lydia Galan in 2009 when she was a senior at Madras high school.  Interested in dental assisting and dental hygiene she spent some time on the Tooth Taxi observing while we were at a Madras Elementary School.  Last week in Culver Lydia spent three days with us, assisting Catherine on the portable unit and providing oral hygiene presentations to elementary and middle school students. Since we last connected with Lydia, she has pursued her first goal finishing dental assisting school. Lydia is targeting hygiene next. Lydia was thrilled to get some hand-on experience with the Tooth Taxi and we were grateful to have her help.

This was our first visit to Culver, where the Elementary, Middle, and High School all share one campus making it easy for us to see students from all three schools. We had great support from the school and had parent volunteers to help escort students.  Also, the school janitors washed the van for us at night, a first! After a snowy, slushy trip over Mt. Hood the van was quite dirty by the time we arrived in Culver. A clean van to shine with the wonderful spring snowstorm we had.

Congratulations to Catherine staff assistant who received her sealant certification. Catherine’s new certifications, enthusiasm and skill provides needed services to students that otherwise may not be seen. Catherine is getting a lot of mileage out of our portable unit.

Volunteers:

Dr. Joshua Moffitt spent the week with us as our main dentist, experiencing life on the road with the team and the Tooth Taxi.
Lydia Galan, Assistant
Dr. Mark E. Jensen, ODS Board Member

Newspaper/Press:

The Tooth Taxi story was published 4/11;  Read: The Madras Pioneer.

From the kid gallery:

1st grader: “Can I touch my silver tooth tomorrow?
Yes, and you need to brush it
1st Grader: “Yeah, so it doesn’t get rusty.”

“I brushed just how you told me to.” (Student in hallway when she saw Lydia who gave an oral hygiene presentation to her class).

Photo Gallery:

Realities from the road:

A Dad came by the Tooth Taxi to pick up his children after school.  His daughter was being treated and his son, the little brother was waiting.  His son lit up when Dad came in, he gave him a tour of the van showing him how the chair works, the button for the x-rays, the cartoons playing on the ceiling.  It was delightful to watch.  Dad thanked us for what we were doing; he doesn’t have any teeth, he tells his kids how important it is to brush so they don’t end up like him.

A school Janitor told me her granddaughter was so excited about our visit, her granddaughter kept telling her about all she learned and was so excited about her oral hygiene kit.  She lives near the school and everyday she’d look to see if the Tooth Taxi was still there.  Grandma said: “Thank you very much.”

Other notes:

54% of students screened needed treatment
46% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Culver Elementary, Middle School & High School, April 2-6, 2012

• 56 students screened
• 189 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 60 appointments in the van
• $18,023 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – April 6, 2012

• 11,304 students screened
• 10,583 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,923 students treated in the van
• $2,993,225 value of free dental services provided.

#14 Portland

It is no easy feat driving the Tooth Taxi in downtown Portland, but that is where we parked while schools were closed for spring break.  We spent three days treating youth at New Avenues for Youth, where homeless youth in transition can visit the drop-in center for meals as well as job training and education services.  For the most part the youth were grateful for the work that we provided; many had not received dental care in years.  And parking downtown?  Not a problem, we had clearance to take the police car parking spots.

Volunteers:

Annette Rotrock, dental assistant from The Creston Clinic
Jennifer Burditt, RDH
Dr. Joshua Moffitt

Photo Gallery:

From the youth gallery:

“I’m so excited.  I haven’t had dental work for like 3 years!” – One of the first youth that showed up for screening.

After gagging on an x-ray film, patient says, “And that’s why I’m not a sword swallower.” It all became clear to us when he mentioned that he works in a circus.

Realities from the road:

Our first patient was robbed on the way to his appointment!!

“I got a guitar to the face, a friendly one.”

“I used to do a lot of coke (cocaine).”

“I’ve been looking for two years for low cost dental care, thank you very much.”

Other notes:

100% of youth screened needed treatment
0% needed no treatment.

Stats:

New Avenues for Youth, March 26 – March 28, 2012

• 29 youth screened
• 0 youth received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 31 appointments in the van
• $15,130 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – March 28, 2012

• 11,248 students screened
• 10,394 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,863 students treated in the van
• $2,975,202 value of free dental services provided.

#13 Goldbeach

Gold Beach is a small town located at the point where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean with lots of things to do and see; nature hikes, whale watching, jet boat rides. However, the Tooth Taxi seems to have arrived here on the rainiest week of the year! Welcomed by the roaring ocean waves and windy downpours, the staff was happy to stay inside the somewhat warm and dry Tooth Taxi to focus on treating the kindergarten through 8th grade students at Riley Creek School.

Volunteers:

We were lucky to have three very helpful parent volunteers:  Shelly, Jennifer, and Summer. Thanks ladies for all your support in Gold Beach!

Photo Gallery:

From the kid gallery:

“You guys are really nice,” a surprised 5th grader said after treatment

“I got a cavity because my parents broke up and my mom reminds me to brush, but when I go to my dads he doesn’t,” 1st grader

“Oh, this is just like the dentist,” a patient says during treatment

“Could you please play the movie!!” – impatient patient excited to watch Tom and Jerry

Oral Hygiene Presentations:

“Thank you and thanks so much to ODS for what you guys do. We really appreciate what you do for our kids.” 3rd grade teachers

Realities from the road:

“Well, I’m actually going to the dentist tomorrow to get that filling fixed!” -2nd grader says. Later that week we found out his mother had an unexpected surgery and the student’s dentist appointment had been canceled. Hearing that his mother’s recovery from surgery would make it difficult for the student to get his dental care done any time soon, we were able to see that student to take care of some of his dental needs.

Other notes:

58% of students screened needed treatment (students were pre-screened by “Ready to Smile” program)
42% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Gold Beach, Riley Creek School, March 19 – March 22, 2012

• 66 students screened
• 91 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 27 students treated in the van
• $17,515 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – March 22, 2012

• 11,219 students screened
• 10,394 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,832 students treated in the van
• $2,960,072 value of free dental services provided.

#12 Brookings

A wet and stormy week!  The Tooth Taxi visited Brookings, Oregon’s Southernmost Coastal City, just a few miles North of California.  On our journey from Portland the Tooth Taxi and pace car drove through a fierce coastal storm battling strong wind gusts and torrents of rain.  At times we were afraid we’d be blown into the Pacific.  That weather remained with us most of the week at Kalmiopsis Elementary School.  Kalmiopsis comes from Kalmiopsis leachiana, a unique shrub that is a relic of the pre-ice age.

Volunteers:

Willing parent volunteers helped to escort students, always with a smile in the worst weather conditions.  When we found out that parent volunteer Sara Adamek, is a hygienist we put her to work on our portable unit.

Photo Gallery:

Newspaper/Press:

Coastal Curry Pilot

From the kid gallery:

“I finally got my own floss.”  1st grader

“How do dogs clean their teeth?” 1st grader

Realities from the road:

“My Mom couldn’t afford to buy me a toothbrush, but now I live with my Grandma, she adopted me.”

“I used to have bad toothaches & stuff, I’m glad they’re gone.”  3rd grader after 2 extractions and a filling; it was her 1st time at the dentist.

Student was enrolled in OHP in June 2011 (brought us the letter) but he hadn’t been to a dentist yet.

Other notes:

98% of students screened needed treatment (students were pre-screened by “Ready to Smile” program)
2% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Brookings, Kalmiopsis Elementary School, March 13 – March 15, 2012

• 46 students screened
• 96 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 33 students treated in the van
• $18,570 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – March 15, 2012

• 11,153 students screened
• 10,303 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,805 students treated in the van
• $2,942,557 value of free dental services provided.

#11 Hillsboro

The Tooth Taxi rolled into Hillsboro to finish up treatment on students that were identified at our short visit in January.  We had a lot of volunteer help to reach this goal, completing treatment on 46 students. The teachers appreciate the services their students receive, this from a first grade teacher:

Mrs. Dill said, “Who can I write to, to thank for all this work? I just like that these kids get services. I want to write and say Don’t Stop what you’re doing! It’s really great.”

Volunteers:

A group of veteran volunteers joined us:

Dr. Michelle Stafford with assistant Savina Rosales

Dan Reynolds, Pre-dent student.

Dr. Andrea Beltzner

Dr. James Goertz, his wife Elaine and son Jake.

Photo Gallery:

From the kid gallery:

“Is my tongue still there?” A numb student opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue after treatment.

“In the summer I kicked my brother’s tooth out in the swimming pool and we couldn’t find it and the tooth fairy still brought money to my Dads house.

“I went to California and brushed my teeth before breakfast and it made the food taste bad.”

Realities from the road:

Chanel asked a Kindergartner, “What do you help with around the house?”
“When my mom says it’s time to eat, I put out the spoons and the napkins.”
Chanel:  “Wow you know how to do that?”
“Yeah, and the soda!!!”

Dan Reynolds joined us and assisted Catherine who was treating students in the school on the portable unit.  They asked a student about her brushing habits, she said: “Every couple days, that’s all they need.”

Stats:

Hillsboro, Lincoln St. Elementary School, March 5 – March 9, 2012    

• 0 students screened
• 82 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 67 students treated in the van
• $21,490 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – March 9, 2012

• 11,107 students screened
• 10,207 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,772 students treated in the van
• $2,923,987 value of free dental services provided.

#10 Myrtle Creek

It’s not often that the principal greets the Tooth Taxi as it pulls in.  Myrtle Creek Elementary Principal Darla Waite-Larkin met us as we pulled in, stacking up cones from our reserved parking area.  That warm welcome set the tone for a great week.

Snow! Snow!  Snow!  A beautiful unexpected snowstorm!  A lot of kids were absent from school, some were not able to get out from their homes in the mountains. Coffenberry Middle School just up the hill from the Elementary school was bathed in glorious morning light and snow.  We treated some middle school students in addition to the elementary kids.

Catherine our assistant worked on the portable unit in one of the temporary classrooms providing cleanings to students.

A parent who stopped by to see what the Tooth Taxi was all about commented, “You’re like Teeth Rock n’ roll stars.”

We wrapped up the week with great news, our assistant Chanel Kim received a call on Friday as we were headed back to Portland; she has been accepted to the dental school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona California.  CONGRATULATIONS Chanel!!

Volunteers:

We had 3 parent volunteers that helped us throughout the week, enabling us to be more efficient and treat more students. They also put together several oral hygiene kits for us.

From the kid gallery:

A 4^th grader at the screening: “I’m surrounded by little kids,” And then the middle school kids showed up and he says “Oh, great, big kids!”

Kid whispered to another kid waiting in the screening line. “Its safe” (about fluoride varnish)

Asked a Kindergarten patient what she got from the Tooth Fairy: “3 quarters, 4 pennies, 7 diamonds and 2 dollars.”

Realities from the road:

A middle school student lives in a 5^th wheel and spends evenings at Seven Feathers Casino Resort for a place to hang out and draw.

“I live on my Grandfather’s living room couch.”

If you haven’t seen this article from the NY Times on the state of children’s oral decay, it is alarming:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/health/rise-in-preschool-cavities-prompts-anesthesia-use.html

Other notes:

• 69% of students screened needed treatment
• 31% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Myrtle Creek Elementary School, February 27 –  March 1, 2012   

• 45 students screened
• 75 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 38 students treated in the van
• $15,963 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – March 1, 2012       

• 11,107 students screened
• 10,125 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,705 students treated in the van
• $2,902,497 value of free dental services provided.

#9 Cottage Grove

Cottage Grove located at the Southern end of the Willamette Valley hosted the Tooth Taxi at Harrison Elementary School. Nurse Staci Chambers did a great job coordinating our visit and helping with students. At the end of the week the team received a lovely thank you and school sweatshirts for all from the Principal and the district office.

A note from Staci Chambers RN: “I am still getting compliments on your staff and the care they provided. What a wonderful service. Thank you so much!”

Volunteers:

Three high school students helped out with the screening and escorting students.
Dr. Michael Lacey from Eugene with assistants Marie Real and Angela Raade.

Visitors:

Superintendent Krista Parent and Secretary Julie; Tim Rochholz; Harrison Elementary principal Ali Nice. Frank Simpson from the Oregon Community Foundation.

From the kid gallery:

Dr. McLeod: “You need to brush those new front teeth well.” Patient: “Those are kind of old.”

When Catherine was taking x-rays and showed the student the film he replied: “I don’t like those kind of chips.”

Realities from the road:

What screenings can reveal; a young student opened her mouth and to the shock of Dr. McLeod there was a cauliflower soft tissue mass that caused the left side of her jaw to be swollen 2-3 times the size of the right side. This little girl had never been to the dentist. She had not complained about it and no one was aware of it, not even Mom. Dr. McLeod and the Nurse worked to get an appointment for her with an oral surgeon. It was an appalling discovery.

Other notes:

46% of students screened needed treatment
54% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Harrison Elementary School–February 21-24, 2012

• 48 students screened
• 0 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 27 students treated in the van
• $15,711 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – February 24, 2012

• 11,062 students screened
• 10,050 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,667 students treated in the van
• $2,886,534 value of free dental services provided.

#8 Gervais

Eldriedge Elementary is the “country school” in the Gervais School District.  Although a Salem address it is rural, hidden in between nurseries and growers with a playground that opens up to a large field.  We found it to be a little gem; a small school with a very caring and friendly staff, polite students and set in a peaceful environment.  All week we had flocks of geese flying overhead in between crazy weather patterns.

Congratulations to our assistant Catherine Johnson who now has her expanded functions assisting certificate!  And thank you to the offices that helped her to complete her check-offs:  Dr. Mark Jensen, Dr. Joy Arend and Dr. Terrylynn Tennant.  Catherine was the star this week, not only as the new EFDA but receiving heartfelt, hand-made thank you notes from the classrooms where she delivered oral hygiene presentations. (add Catherine’s photo with cards)

We know we’re meeting our goals of giving kids a positive experience when I go to a classroom to pick up a student and a fellow classmate pipes up:  “How come I never get to go?”

Photos:

Volunteers:

All returning volunteers this week!  Mette Singer dental assistant; and from Salem Dr. Joni Young and assistant Julie Yatik.

Visitors:

Sylvia Garcia, Gervais School District.  Sylvia thanked us for all we are doing and how impactful our work has been for the district. Sylvia and Maricruz Camacho, Home School, Migrant Coordinator have been key in making the Tooth Taxi visits successful.

School teachers, I think all of them!  It was great to have such interest and support from the teachers. (add teacher photo)

From the kid gallery:

“I’ve never been to the dentist that has a TV.”

“Anytime my mom watches the news I take a nap until the news is over and I can watch my kid shows!”

When asked what foods are bad for your teeth, student responded, “Chili because it’s spicy.”

Realities from the road:

1st grader with an abscess on the root of his tooth.

Photos:

Puppy love from Scout, mascot for the week.

Other notes:

55% of students screened needed treatment
45% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Eldriedge Elementary School–February 13-17, 2012

• 44 students screened
• 107 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 39 students treated in the van
• $21,438 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – February 17, 2012

• 11,014 students screened
• 10,050 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,640 students treated in the van
• $2,870,823 value of free dental services provided.

#7 Aumsville

Cascade School District and Aumsville Elementary School team are extremely accommodating!  They welcomed us with signs all over the school “Tooth Taxi this way!”, kept us well stocked with treats (water, fruit, granola bars) and were so pleasant to work with.  Nurse Wendy MacGregor and her volunteers were very helpful in arranging all transportation and bringing students to and from school quickly and efficiently. It is wonderful to have so much help!

The families in this area have had their share of struggles the past two years, Last year a freak tornado ripped through town destroying homes and businesses.  This winter they’ve suffered losses from flooding.  Both of those natural disasters combined with rising unemployment have many families struggling.  We were happy to be able to help and bring a positive event to the community.

Photos:

Volunteers:

Dr. David B. Thompson, who has a practice in Stayton volunteered with his assistant Charmane Smith

Visitors:

Cascade School District Superintendent Darin Drill, District Secretary Cheryl Harmon and Aumsville Elementary Principal Leanne Deffenbaugh

Newspaper/Press:

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120211/NEWS/202110316/Tooth-Taxi-improves-smiles?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p

From the kid gallery:

“I watched TV for a whole weekend once and the bill came out to about 10,000 dollars!” – 4th grader

Kinder “My baby brother has teeth just like mine but smaller and no cavity.”

Realities from the road:

“My Mom got laid off work.” 1st grader

We have also come across many students that have had other struggles in life, and it shows that their teeth have not always been on the priority list. One student recently lost a parent to cancer and the other parent is diagnosed with cancer.  This young student had so much need; we were able to provide multiple appointments in the Tooth Taxi.

Other notes:

58% of students screened needed treatment
42% needed no treatment.

Stats:

Aumsville Elementary School–February 6-9, 2012

• 88 students screened
• 190 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 35 students treated in the van
• $24,972 value of free dental services provided.

Summary

Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 – February 9, 2012

• 10,970 students screened
• 9,943 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
• 4,601 students treated in the van
• $2,849,385 value of free dental services provided.