USA - Brushing up on oral hygiene
Brushing up on oral hygiene
Tooth Wizard pays a visit to Peoria kindergartners
Friday, February 15, 2008
BY FRANK RADOSEVICH II
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
PEORIA - What goes on our toothbrush?" the Tooth Wizard asked a group of about 100 kindergartners at the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center."Toothpaste!" the young audience shrieked in unison.
Part of National Children's Dental Health Month, the Thursday morning play presented the captivated youngsters with ways to combat "PlaqueMan" and other healthy oral hygiene tips.
And recent surveys and studies show the information could go a long way. While tooth decay in young children had been decreasing for the past 40 years, a recent study from the National Center for Health Statistics illustrates that trend has backtracked.
The study, based on figures from 1999 to 2004, showed nearly 28 percent of children ages 2 to 5 developed at least one cavity in their baby, or primary, teeth - a 4 percent jump from prior data.
A survey by the Division of Oral Health with the Illinois Department of Public Health found a third of students in Head Start programs had some tooth decay, with 7 percent of those needing urgent care. For third-graders, half had cavities.
Public health officials believe awareness campaigns, like the play put on by the not-for-profit dental insurance provider Delta Dental, will help teach children and their parents how to properly care for their teeth.
"We figure education is the best key," Karen Richeson, a registered nurse with Peoria School District 150. "It helps to start them young."
During the play, actor John Schulz - also known as the Tooth Wizard - instructed students on how to brush, floss and rinse their teeth. At the end of the show, every child was given a bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and a brochure on oral hygiene.
"It's very important to get the word out," said Matt Kahler, who plays the role of PlaqueMan.
In Illinois, children can receive dental care from All Kids, a state-run program that aims to provide affordable health care to anyone 18 and younger. State law requires all kindergartners, second- and sixth graders to show proof of a dental exam or the school may hold the child's report card.
Although strides have been made, some groups still face hurdles. Researchers say the lack of care is most acute among young children from poor and lower-middle-class families. At Valeska Hinton, 75 percent of students come from economically disadvantaged homes.To plug that gap, the Peoria City/County Health Department runs a clinic for children 18 years and younger. Dr. Sue Bishop, dental director at the Health Department, said the clinic is widely used and offer routine dental care one would find at a private practice.
"Our goal, of course, is to treat them all," she said of the younger patients. "We don't want a kid to go to bed with a toothache."
Frank Radosevich II can be reached at 686-3142 or fradosevich@pjstar.com.
Fluoridation is required in Illinois: NYSCOF
Tooth Wizard pays a visit to Peoria kindergartners
Friday, February 15, 2008
BY FRANK RADOSEVICH II
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
PEORIA - What goes on our toothbrush?" the Tooth Wizard asked a group of about 100 kindergartners at the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center."Toothpaste!" the young audience shrieked in unison.
Part of National Children's Dental Health Month, the Thursday morning play presented the captivated youngsters with ways to combat "PlaqueMan" and other healthy oral hygiene tips.
And recent surveys and studies show the information could go a long way. While tooth decay in young children had been decreasing for the past 40 years, a recent study from the National Center for Health Statistics illustrates that trend has backtracked.
The study, based on figures from 1999 to 2004, showed nearly 28 percent of children ages 2 to 5 developed at least one cavity in their baby, or primary, teeth - a 4 percent jump from prior data.
A survey by the Division of Oral Health with the Illinois Department of Public Health found a third of students in Head Start programs had some tooth decay, with 7 percent of those needing urgent care. For third-graders, half had cavities.
Public health officials believe awareness campaigns, like the play put on by the not-for-profit dental insurance provider Delta Dental, will help teach children and their parents how to properly care for their teeth.
"We figure education is the best key," Karen Richeson, a registered nurse with Peoria School District 150. "It helps to start them young."
During the play, actor John Schulz - also known as the Tooth Wizard - instructed students on how to brush, floss and rinse their teeth. At the end of the show, every child was given a bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and a brochure on oral hygiene.
"It's very important to get the word out," said Matt Kahler, who plays the role of PlaqueMan.
In Illinois, children can receive dental care from All Kids, a state-run program that aims to provide affordable health care to anyone 18 and younger. State law requires all kindergartners, second- and sixth graders to show proof of a dental exam or the school may hold the child's report card.
Although strides have been made, some groups still face hurdles. Researchers say the lack of care is most acute among young children from poor and lower-middle-class families. At Valeska Hinton, 75 percent of students come from economically disadvantaged homes.To plug that gap, the Peoria City/County Health Department runs a clinic for children 18 years and younger. Dr. Sue Bishop, dental director at the Health Department, said the clinic is widely used and offer routine dental care one would find at a private practice.
"Our goal, of course, is to treat them all," she said of the younger patients. "We don't want a kid to go to bed with a toothache."
Frank Radosevich II can be reached at 686-3142 or fradosevich@pjstar.com.
Fluoridation is required in Illinois: NYSCOF
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