Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 10 | 3/9/09 | Hermiston
We had an unusual week in Hermiston as all schools in the district participated in completing paperwork for the Tooth Taxi, eight schools in Hermiston and one in Stanfield. Although we set a new record for number of screenings – 232, the flipside is that we aren’t able to treat all students and with such large screenings and travel time to schools it reduces treatment time in the Tooth Taxi. We will work closely with school officials to identify one-three schools with the greatest need so we can focus our efforts on more treatment. We screened at Stanfield and the Hermiston west-side schools on Monday, treated through Thursday and then on Friday screened the Hermiston east-side schools and arranged to park the Tooth Taxi on the east-side for one more day of treatment this week. Of the 232 students screened only 32% were category 3 (generalized decay) and category 4 (pain, requiring immediate attention). Geneva Alvord, our dental assistant worked on students in the lesser categories providing cleanings and sealants.
One of the advantages to our partnership with the OEA Choice Trust is the Tooth Taxi’s ability to provide a direct resource for students identified by teachers as having a serious dental need. Our latest request came from concerned teacher Marcy Jerome in Pilot Rock:
We have a student whose two front teeth are broken in half. He needs to have them capped. They are hurting him. He has no insurance. He is a wonderful kid and deserves to be able to smile without it hurting. This student plays 4 sports throughout the year. He works on a farm on the weekends to help pay all the bills at home. He has it pretty hard right now. This student really needs this help. Thank you so much for your consideration.
We were able to see the student for 3 appointments and his dental treatment was completed. Completing his treatment was significant as it is not often that we can accomplish that with our students. Marcy and her husband Troy (the vice principal) were key in making this happen, identifying the student and assisting with transportation, a 45 minute drive each way. A note from Marcy after the 2nd appointment:
“We can't thank you guys enough for all you have done to help our student!!! What an amazing thing you do every day!! He was so thrilled yesterday after his teeth were fixed! You have no idea what you have done for his confidence!! We are so happy to see him with a big smile on his face! A million THANK YOU"S!!!!” Marcy and Troy ps Troy will bring him on Tuesday!
It was bound to happen, we ran out of gas. Not stranded on the side of the road but we unknowingly tested a Tooth Taxi safety feature. When the gas tank gets to a ¼ the generator automatically shuts off. We had just finished treatment in both chairs, the newspaper reporter had just left and we were making sandwiches for a quick lunch when everything went dark and silent. Luck was on our side. James and I dashed off to town, purchased a gas can and gasoline and we were back in business in no time. Another piece of the new logistics we’re getting used to by leaving the van in geographic regions and not driving back to Portland every week .
Fill'er Up!
From the student gallery:
- When I picked up a student from the office to take him out to the Tooth Taxi he asked “Is it true you get to see movies?”
- A 2nd grader during screening, where students get a mirror, floss, toothbrush & toothpaste: “I’ll save this ‘cuz I don’t have a toothbrush.”
- Dr. Heringer’s psychology with the students when taking x-rays is to credit them as being older, this time it elicited a good response: Dr :“are you a 2nd grader?” No I’m a first grader. Dr: “You did that so well I thought you were a 2nd grader”. I’m smart.
siblings that had Tooth Taxi visits
The addition of our two new assistants has been invaluable. Geneva with her EFDA certification significantly adds to the number of students we see. James can fill in chairside or administratively which allows me to visit schools in the area for future visits. Wednesday I drove up to Umatilla and met with the school secretary regarding this weeks visit, and then I went on to Irrigon to meet with Marilyn Post, teacher and Morrow County Education Association President about a future visit. Friday while Dr. Heringer, Geneva and I screened 75 more students on the east-side, James took the Tooth Taxi to dump the gray water, gas it up, refill with fresh water and plug it in a the Mid-Columbia bus site for the weekend. It is great to have such a team that is flexible and helps us to be more efficient and improve our levels of service.
Hermiston stats:
- 232 students screened
- 56 students treated in the van
- $46,230 value of free dental services provided.
Summary:
- Tooth Taxi, September 2008 - March 13, 2009
- 1682 students screened
- 359 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 728 students treated in the van
Next week on the road:
Schools are on spring break, the Tooth Taxi will be at the ODS Plaza for routine maintenance, cleaning, restocking, and preparation for the upcoming Oregon Dental Convention.
Next week's recap: Umatilla
Regards, Mary
