Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 35 | 09/15/09 | Ashland OCDC
A fitting end for our summer schedule the Tooth Taxi spent the week in Ashland, home of Shakespeare and sunshine. The Tooth Taxi served children at the Ashland Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) site and treated a handful of students from local schools that had been identified as needing dental care.
Several new volunteers to the Tooth Taxi joined us in Ashland: Dr. Michael Henneman, his assistant Ella Stuart and hygienist Shari Eaton. Shari treated students on the portable hygiene chair that was set up in the center. We finished out the week with volunteers Dr. Ed Warr and his assistant Michelle McMahan.
Attached is a thank you note sent to us by parents of students we treated in Ashland.
Maurie Hicks, President and OEA Choice Board Member called Thursday afternoon about a kindergartner that had been in tears with a toothache at Griffin Creek Elementary school where his wife Ginny Hicks serves as principal. Maurie transported the student and her dad to the OCDC in Ashland so Dr. Heringer could do an exam. They were given a prescription to treat an infected tooth and an appointment for next Tuesday while the Tooth Taxi is in Grants Pass. Another benefit of scheduling the Tooth Taxi regionally.
Ashland also kicked off our regional schedule for Southern Oregon. The Tooth Taxi will be parked at various sites (school ‘bus barns’) over the weekends while the team travels back to Portland.
Fringe Benefits:
The Tooth Taxi team was treated to a fine dinner at the Carriage House located on the Nunan Estate in Jacksonville where Maurie and Ginny Hicks live.
From the kid gallery:
Dr. Heringer to a boy after treatment, “Are you ready to go?” “But the show isn’t over yet,” the boy replied.
A young boy observing screenings overhears Dr. Heringer say to a student, “You need to get down and brush better along your gums.” To this the boy responds with excitement, “He has gums too?”
Dr. Heringer, “We just took a picture of your teeth!” Patient, “I like cameras!”
Same little girl, “I’ve got floss at home, but I didn’t bring it.” Our assistant Michelle, “That’s okay we’ve got some for you.” Patient, “Oh good!”
Tooth Taxi Patient, Assistant Ella Stuart & Dr. Henneman
Tooth Taxi Group Photo
Assist Michelle McMahan and Dr. Ed War
Ashland OCDC stats:
September 14 - September 17, 2009
- 95 students screened
- 39 students treated in the van
- $28,495 value of free dental services provided.
Summary:
Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008 - September 17, 2009
- 4401 students screened
- 414 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 1641 students treated in the van
- $1,040,724 value of free dental services provided.
Next week on the road: Myrtle Creek Elementary, Myrtle Creek
Regards, Mary
