Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 31 | 8/31/09 | Woodburn
The Tooth Taxi parked at the new Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) site in the historic Settlemier neighborhood in Woodburn. Jesse H. Settlemier is credited with the development of the city of Woodburn taking root in1863. The historic Settlemier home built in 1892 is on the National Register of Historic Places and just down the street from OCDC. The area’s earliest settlers were the Calapooya Indians.
The OCDC program focuses on children 0-5 yrs of age. On this visit we saw a lot of little tykes, here's our assistant James with one of our young patients – an 18 month old waving good-bye to Dr. Heringer.
our assistant James with one of our young patients
Newly retired dentist Dr. Robert Rappleyea, joined us for his first volunteer visit on the Tooth Taxi. Dr. Rappleyea ran a private practice in Woodburn for several years. Our second volunteer dentist last week was returning volunteer Dr. Janet Peterson of Corvallis who took some time out of her vacation to join the Tooth Taxi (see att. photo of Dr. Peterson and patient).
Michelle, patient, and Dr. Rappleyea
Dr. Peterson and patient
McKenzie with Dr. Heringer, James and patient
From the kid gallery:
When I took a sibling in to the center after treatment he says to his brother: "Did you see Tom & Jerri?"
6 yr old little boy was very apprehensive (crying) at the beginning of the appointment but after a few minutes relaxed and at end he stood up and put out his hand to shake w/Dr. Heringer, shook w/Michelle and then went over and shook hands with James.
Additional news:
Dr. Heringer wanted a little more kid friendly operating unit. At the Oregon Dental Conference a-dec volunteered to change out the units we had and Burkhart agreed to install them. So this past week they got together and changed out the units. Thank you a-dec and Burkhart. It takes a lot of volunteers and support to make us so successful.
And an update from the Collins Foundation visit to the Tooth Taxi when we were in Gresham – they have awarded the DFO a $60,000 grant (over three years) for support of the Tooth Taxi.
Woodburn stats:
August 17- August 20, 2009
- 127 students screened
- 51 students treated in the van
- $36,139 value of free dental services provided.
Summary:
Tooth Taxi, September 2008- August 21,2009
- 4067 students screened
- 359 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 1484 students treated in the van
- $945,587 value of free dental services provided.
Next week on the road:
Albany Boys & Girls Club
Next week’s recap:
Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) Madras
Regards, Mary
