Success Stories
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 51 | January 11, 2010 | Astoria
John Jacob Astor Elementary School named after the founder of Astoria is perched on a hill overlooking the mighty Columbia River. The Tooth Taxi was parked at Astor Elementary which is famous for its role in the movie “Kindergarten Cop” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. A beautiful building built in 1925. Astoria established in 1811 is ramping up for their bicentennial celebration next year.
The Tooth Taxi traveled through Longview, Washington to get to the Northern Oregon Coast. Our parking spot at the school gave us a view of the river (att. photo). We were entertained by barking sea lions as their calls traveled uphill form the docks.
Volunteers:
BJ Wirges from the ODS Bend office spent the week on the Tooth Taxi assisting Dr. Heringer. Kristine Martin also volunteered; Kristine is a recent graduate of Central Oregon Community College’s Dental Assisting program and she visited the Tooth Taxi at the 2009 ODC.
volunteer BJ Wirges & Happy Tooth Taxi Patient
volunteer BJ Wirges & recent college grad Kristine Martin
Visitors:
The Daily Astorian newspaper:
From the kid gallery:
Our patient who was in the chair when the newspaper staff was on board: “You can take more pictures, take as many as you want.”
Dr. Heringer: “How’s school going?” Kinder: “It’s a lot of hard work.”
Same Kinder: “It’s nice and cozy back here.”
Mother said that her child getting treatment on the Tooth Taxi felt like Christmas. Services provided exceeded $1,000.00.
Other notes:
40% of students screened needed treatment.
60% needed no treatment.
Screenings often surprise us; last week it was colored fillings that we haven’t seen before.
Our Library book packs continue to be well received. Last week James offered books to teachers in the classrooms where he gave oral hygiene presentations to students. One teacher commented that it was “Awesome.”
Fringe benefits of the job:
A clear day at the Oregon Coast!
Sea Lions!
Stats:
Astor Elementary - Jan. 19-22, 2010
- 89 students screened
- 160 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 16 students treated in the van
- $17,314 value of free dental services provided.
Summary:
- Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008- Jan. 22, 2010
- 5489 students screened
- 1419 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 2108 students treated in the van
- $1, 401.046 value of free dental services provided.
Next week on the road: Nestucca Valley Elementary in Cloverdale