Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 19 | 5/18/09 | Madras
As we would expect in Madras we had sunny weather and hot temperatures. The Tooth Taxi was parked in a little oasis on the side of the school with green grass and a bit of shade. School nurse Jamie Smith enlisted Annie from the C.H.I.P (Community Health Improvement Partnership) organization to escort students. Jamie also sent us off with a gift certificate to the Natural Foods Deli in town, which was a great resource for lunch.
hygienist Carol Sommers from Welches
The Tooth Taxi team had pre-screened students at Buff elementary school in Madras so when they arrived from Monument last Thursday they went right to work. Our pre-screening results identified a higher percentage of students with greater levels of decay than what we have seen in the past. Monday we were joined by hygienist Carol Sommers from Welches and Tuesday, hygienist Virginia Olea from Madras. Screening over 300 students provided a steady stream of patients for Dr. Heringer and the volunteer hygienists. This is a predominantly Hispanic community and very few had OHP insurance.
hygienist Virginia Olea from Madras
Leslie Jensen from Bend joined us on Friday to assist with students and experience the Tooth Taxi first-hand.
hygienist Leslie Jensen from Bend
One of our patients delivered artwork to Dr. Heringer.
Dr. Heringer gets Art from Student
We were visited by the Madras Pioneer newspaper and the Bend Bulletin.
Student quote:
“I wanted that tooth to get out because every time I eat chips they get in there and it hurts and every time I close it hurts too.”
Madras stats:
- 318 students screened (pre-screening prior to TT visit)
- 54 students treated in the van
- $34,657 value of free dental services provided.
Summary
Tooth Taxi, September 2008 - May 13, 2009
- 2227 students screened
- 359 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 1064 students treated in the van
- $676,338 value of free dental services provided.
Fringe benefits of the job – incredible view of Cascade peaks (Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood) and a beautiful drive from forest topography to the desert.
Next week on the road:
Klamath Falls area: Merrill and Malin Schools
Next weeks recap:
Brooks Elementary in the Gervais school district (Marion Co.)
Regards, Mary
