All Aboard the Tooth Taxi
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 66 | May 3, 2010 | Newberg
Edwards Elementary in Newberg sits on the Northeast side of Yamhill County, small town charm amidst rural forest and farmlands. World-class wine tasting is available throughout Yamhill County, which has the reputation of being the Napa Valley of Oregon (although we didn’t have time to experience this). Newberg, incorporated as a city in 1889 has no shortage of interesting history. The city's newspaper, The Newberg Graphic, was established the same year and is still printing today (they visited the Tooth Taxi). Newberg was the first community in Oregon to hold Quaker services; George Fox University was founded by the Quakers in 1891. Herbert Hoover, a Quaker and the thirty-first president of the United States moved to Newberg in 1885 at the age of 9. President Hoover served only 1 –term during tough economic times. His legacy is associated with the stock market crash of 1929 (advent of the great depression), “Hoovervilles” (shoddy housing) and “Hoover” blankets (newspapers to cover people from the cold). Today, the Yamhill Community Action Partnership (YCAP) successfully helps people in Yamhill County who are living in poverty to positively change their lives.
Volunteers:
Retired dentist Dr. Richard Naughton joined us for a day of service and was well coordinated with one of his patients. Leslie Combs, RDH also joined the Tooth Taxi. Leslie volunteered on the Tooth Taxi last year as a student of Pacific University and now works for Dr. Dustin James. It is great to introduce students to the Tooth Taxi and have them return outside of a school program!
Visitors:
The Tooth Taxi is outfitted with a-dec chairs; a-dec the premier dental equipment manufacturer is located in Newberg where it was founded 40 years ago by Ken and Joan Austin. A-dec employees Steve Bourque and associate Phil visited the Tooth Taxi to see the equipment in action on the mobile van.
School district nurse Annie Berger visited and Edwards Elementary Principal Sue Luthra.
Newspaper/Press:
From the kid gallery:
“Now I don’t have to use my sister’s floss.”
“My teeth are whiter now; I brushed my teeth right after lunch.” (with his new toothbrush kit received at the screening)
Teacher: “Thank you for taking care of our kids.”
“My teeth feel like they’re frozen solid.”
Patient. “After this can I look at my silver king?” Dr. Heringer: “Crown.” Patient: “Yeah but it feels like a king.”
“My mom is going to be so excited. She’s been wanting me to get a silver crown for years!”
Dr. Heringer, “You get to go to the Tooth Taxi again.” Patient: “Yay!”
Realities from the road:
Yamhill County Action Partnership’s (YCAP) Food Van pulled up next to the Tooth Taxi to deliver its food packs to students families for the weekend. According to school secretary Pam Hallmeyer about 60 families participate: “Some families had no food in the cupboard whatsoever, kids were not eating on weekends, just the 2 meals they get at school every day.” The food pack provides 1 meal per family and is mostly canned or dried food. The families select their choices from a menu each week, the Food Van delivers on Thursdays along with a new menu for the following week.
An instructional aide at the school that was looking out for a couple of disadvantaged students met Dr. Heringer in the hall when he brought a student back to class. She gave Dr. Heringer a pat on the back and in thanking him got emotional and choked up; she was so appreciative.
Other notes:
- 49% of students screened needed treatment.
- 51% needed no treatment.
- Tooth Taxi miles driven: 70
- Dr. Heringer screening and two Stephanie’s on the van!
Fringe benefits of the job:
Commuting from Portland, no hotel stays!
Stats: Oakridge Elementary School, April 26-April 29, 2010:
- 110 students screened
- 233 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 45 students treated in the van
- $27.065 value of free dental services provided.
Summary
Edwards Elementary School-Newberg, May 3-7, 2010:
- 6440 students screened
- 2698 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 2516 students treated in the van
- $1,642,490 value of free dental services provided.