Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 30 | 8/10/09 | OCDC Gresham
The Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) in Gresham was prepared to host all the families from the community who brought their children in for the dental screening. They set up chairs outside, provided toys for children to play with while waiting and provided snacks for the families. The OCDC site in Gresham resides on the edge of Troutdale.
Dr. Ferré and Bob with a patient
Volunteer service added to our success at Gresham; returning volunteer Dr. Kurt Ferré, who was assisted by Bob Cochrane a new volunteer to the Tooth Taxi. Dr. Ferré and Bob have worked together before volunteering with MTI. Deb Wong, from Dentist Benefits Ins. Co. also joined us to escort students.
Volunteer Deb Wong with patient
Sometimes we provide more than dentistry; a little girl arrived with fresh wet purple paint covering her forearm and on her clothes. She was unfazed as Dr. Heringer cleaned her up and tied up her hanging dress straps before treatment. She was a great patient and I’d say exemplified our goal of giving patients a positive experience!
Dr. Kurt Ferré treated a teenager who came from the mountains north of Mexico City; this girl had brown spots on her front teeth from excess fluoride in the water that occurs naturally (and this an extreme case), see the before and after photos of her treatment. Dr. Ferré is a huge advocate for fluoride and cycling, he wore his Team Fluoride cycling jersey to work so he was prepared to commute home on his bike. Dr. Ferré is our first volunteer cycling dentist.
Our first volunteer cycling dentist, Dr. Ferré
Visitors to the Tooth Taxi while in Gresham:
The DFO has submitted a grant request to the Collins Foundation. Collins Foundation Executive Vice President Cynthia Addams and Director of Programs Cindy Knowles along with DFO Executive Director Charlie LaTourette and DFO Board member Dr. Mike Goger visited us to review the Tooth Taxi program in light of our grant request. The DFO expects to hear something in the near future about a possible grant award.
Family members of James Olcott came by to see the Tooth Taxi: his Mom Debbie Olcott and both his Grandmothers, Marian Olcott and Mickey Clark. They enjoyed seeing James at work and having a glimpse at our program in action.
From the kid gallery:
The patient was almost crying while in the dental chair because he couldn’t see the TV.
During the screening Dr. Heringer asked a Mom how many kids she had? Her reply: “Only one, because that’s all I could afford.”
Gresham stats:
August 10- August 13, 2009
- 120 students screened
- 46 students treated in the van
- $33,701 value of free dental services provided.
Summary:
Tooth Taxi, September 2008- August 13,2009
- 3940 students screened
- 359 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 1433 students treated in the van
- $909,448 value of free dental services provided.
Next week on the road:
Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) in Madras
Next week’s recap:
Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) Woodburn
Regards, Mary
