All Aboard the Tooth Taxi
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 57 | February 2, 2010 | Riddle
Riddle Oregon’s economy was once based on logging and mining. The Hanna Nickel Smelting plant and the Formosa mine closed in the 90’s. The Formosa mine, located a few miles from town is now listed as an EPA Superfund Site.
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ehap/fmsite.shtml
Volunteers:
Principal Kristi Reukauf found out about the Tooth Taxi last June at the COSA (Confederation of Oregon School Administrators) conference in Seaside. She completed a site visit request and recruited parent volunteer Mary Wilson to coordinate the Tooth Taxi visit. Mary Wilson worked tirelessly calling parents, tracking down paperwork and regularly providing me with updated numbers in the weeks prior to our visit.
TT assistants Stephanie & James
parent volunteer Mary with a Tooth Taxi patient
Visitors:
We had an overwhelming response to our teacher invite at Riddle. Our Crest/Oral B vendor sent us some free adult dental hygiene kits for the teachers, and they were popular! Twenty-four visitors on the first day - a new record.
From the kid gallery:
Dr. Heringer, “Where did you learn to spit like that?” Patient, “My Papa.”
Dr. Heringer, “What does your dad do for work?” Patient, “He works at Green Mine.”
Dr. Heringer, “What does your mom do?” Patient, “She’s at home, usually cleaning.”
Dr. Heringer handing papers to patient, “Have you got a pocket?” “No, but I’ve got a boot.”
Patient, “When my mom takes me to the dentist I don’t let him touch me.” Dr. Heringer, “Well why did you let me touch you?” Patient, “I don’t know.”
Realities from the road:
An 8th grade girl that was screened had 20 cavities out of 28 permanent teeth. She was fearful and apprehensive and didn’t want Dr. Heringer to extract molars that needed to be extracted. Dr. Heringer told her that he could fix a couple big cavities in the front and she allowed him to do that. The school requested documentation about her lack of dental care as they felt there was neglect within family and wanted to pursue. Dental neglect is a form of child abuse; Dr. Heringer wrote a letter with his findings.
Other notes:
- 47% of students screened needed treatment.
- 49% needed no treatment.
Fringe benefits of the job:
On the way to Riddle Elementary from Canyonville Tuesday morning the Tooth Taxi team had to stop and yield to a flock of turkeys crossing the road. Further down the road several dozen more turkeys were spotted throughout the walnut orchards in the surrounding area.
Riddle Elem Stats Feb. 22-25 2010:
- 92 students screened
- 184 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 27 students treated in the van
- $18,637 value of free dental services provided.
Summary
Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008- Feb. 25, 2010
- 5922 students screened
- 2091 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 2261 students treated in the van
- $1,508,251 value of free dental services provided.
Next week on the road: Evergreen Elementary in Cave Junction (Josephine Co.)