The Tooth Taxi made a visit to Riverbend Elementary in Springfield. The kids and staff were excited to see the Tooth Taxi pull up. This visit seemed to highlight siblings. We had multiple sets of siblings with dental needs on the van supporting each other. One gave a high five as the other one came on the van. One girl got her brother seated and gave him a much needed hand to hold and words of encouragement before his appointment.
We had Courtney Verloo, a recent Stanford graduate who will be applying for dental school in the summer come and join us for the day. She was eager to help and we put her right to work escorting patients to and from class and assembling take home packages for the kids. Dr. Carnerio also took the time to talk with her about Dentistry as a career and answer any questions she had.
As I was walking around the inside of the school I couldn't help but notice that there were laminated pictures of buckets around every corner. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the children's book, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" It's a wonderful story that shows kids how rewarding it is to express kindness and appreciation on a daily basis by "filling someone's bucket" with kind words instead of taking away from their bucket with negative ones. That message came through in the students we interacted with. They opened doors for us every morning and giving thanks and appreciation for treatment. Kids gave Catherine their attention during classroom presentations and engaged in meaningful questions and respectful conversations. It was a joy to be at Riverbend Elementary and we hope to make a return visit in the future.
Volunteers: Courtney Verloo, potential dental student.
From the kid gallery: "This smells like ice cream and I want to eat it" a young boy referring to his nitrous mask.
Photo: Catherine Johnson, Courtney Verloo, Patient, Dr. Dave Carneiro
Other notes: 57% of students screened needed treatment 43% needed no treatment.
Stats: Riverbend Elementary School February 9-13, 2015
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147 children received oral hygiene presentations in the classroom
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30 appointments in the van
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$18,432 is the value of free dental services provided
The Tooth Taxi made a visit to Riverbend Elementary in Springfield. The kids and staff were excited to see the Tooth Taxi pull up. This visit seemed to highlight siblings. We had multiple sets of siblings with dental needs on the van supporting each other. One gave a high five as the other one came on the van. One girl got her brother seated and gave him a much needed hand to hold and words of encouragement before his appointment.