State program brings oral screenings to children

The princess had to interrupt her dress-up time Thursday morning to meet dental hygienist Chris Walwrath for an oral screening that is part of a new state-funded program to combat childhood tooth decay.
Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, said Dr. Grant Christensen, staff dentist for the Wyoming Department of Health. About 650 Wyoming children on Medicaid under the age of 5 had to be hospitalized in 2006 because their teeth were severely infected, Christensen said."That doesn't count private insurance or people without insurance," said Christensen, who is also a pediatric dentist in Rock Springs. "It's totally preventable. We are seeing too many young kids with severe tooth decay."
During the exam, Walwrath explained how she was going to look into Kathryn's mouth as the girl marveled at the orange toothbrush she had selected to take home with her.
Thursday morning, Walwrath saw about 30 toddlers and preschoolers. She looked at their teeth for treated cavities, untreated cavities and major tooth decay.
She could tell some had never seen a dentist or a toothbrush before, even though the American Dental Association says brushing should begin when the first tooth comes in and a child should see a dentist by his or her first birthday.
About five of the children had problems Walwrath described as "urgent" and needed to be treated by a dentist immediately. Parents of every preschooler who was screened would be notified and Walwrath said she would do follow-ups with some parents.
"I will let them know what resources they have, what places are accepting children as patients," said Walwrath, who has been a hygienist for more than 30 years. "If there is a financial need, I can get them involved in state programs........

In fluoridated Laramie: NYSCOF