All Aboard the Tooth Taxi
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 55 | February 8, 2010 | Corvallis and Brooks
Lincoln Elementary is a K-8 school in Southeast Corvallis. The Vision of all Corvallis schools: Students grow to be world-class learners, engaged citizens and leaders of the future. Lincoln has some unique programs that we saw in action and are outlined on the school’s website: Lincoln School is an English Language Learner (ELL) magnet school where students may enroll in a dual immersion program offering instruction in both Spanish and English beginning in kindergarten. Grades 6 through 8 participate in a different theme study each year rotating between rivers, forests and mountains. There is a special focus on science, arts and technology in grades 6 to 8. Lincoln is the site of the Lion’s Den After School Program run by the Boys & Girls Club to provide K-5 students with homework help.
Volunteers:
Dr. Bill Ten Pas joined us for a day to treat Lincoln Students. Dr. Ten Pas used to run a private practice in Corvallis before joining ODS as Sr. VP of Dental Services. Dr. Ten Pas is also a board member for Corvallis Schools and the DFO. Local dentist Dr. Janet Peterson offered to help us out but we finished early and ended up moving the van to another school.
Dr. Bill Ten Pas
Visitors:
Corvallis School Superintendent Dawn Tarzian.
Dr. Ken Johnson who is involved with the Corvallis Boys & Girls Club dental clinic
Dr. Mike Goger, frequent Tooth Taxi volunteer and DFO Board Member.
Lincoln Principal, Oscar Moreno-Gilson.
From the kid gallery:
“My tongue died”.
“My tongue is like feeling strange.”
“Last Christmas I went to Mexico, the old Mexico not the new one.”
Other notes:
Welcome to the newest member of the Tooth Taxi team, Stephanie Vogl. Stephanie joins us as our certified dental assistant. Stephanie graduated from Central Oregon Community College’s dental assisting program.
- 36% of students screened needed treatment.
- 64% needed no treatment.
Lincoln Elem Stats Feb. 8-10, 2010:
- 61 students screened
- 0 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom (no takers)
- 21 students treated in the van (6 students had 2nd appointments)
- $16,541 value of free dental services provided.
Realities from the road:
With 3 days of treatment for qualifying students at Lincoln and a smaller percentage of students needing treatment (the dental clinic at the Corvallis Boys & Girls club is helping to address the dental needs of the community) we moved on Thursday to finish out our week at Brooks Elementary in Brooks.
The Tooth Taxi made its 2nd visit to Brooks Elementary in the Gervais School District. Brooks is a school where all the students were screened last spring and a high need identified. Maricruz Camacho our coordinator for the Gervais SD was able to move to action quickly to accommodate the Tooth Taxi and contact students for 2 days of treatment. We are fortunate to have such partners that can “turn-on-a-dime” which allows us to continue reaching students in need.
Brooks Elem Stats Feb. 11-12, 2010:
- 10 students screened
- 125 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 14 students treated in the van
- $5,459 value of free dental services provided.
Summary
Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008- Feb. 12, 2010
- 5705 students screened
- 1734 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 2208 students treated in the van
- $1,463,611 value of free dental services provided.
Next week on the road: Riddle Elementary in Riddle (Douglas Co.)