USA - County dental grant serves 500 children
County dental grant serves 500 children
Many of the children had not seen a dentist in a long time, and some had never been to a dentist at all. For some of the children, the level of decay is painful and potentially dangerous. Nationally, one in three American children lack dental insurance. We often hear about the need for better health insurance. However, dental care is often overlooked.
Running through November, Garfield County Public Health will be in six local schools providing free dental cleanings, fluoride varnishes, and dental sealants to more than 500 elementary school children. The program works within the schools to provide a convenient way for parents to have their children's teeth examined. Following the examination, many children are referred on to their local dentist for follow-up care. The initiative is being led by Public Health under funding from the Caring for Colorado Foundation in cooperation with Western Colorado Area Health Education Center.
“We just received word that Caring for Colorado has granted us funds to continue with the program and expand services to several additional Garfield County schools,” said Carrie Godes, program coordinator with Public Health.
“We are so excited to be able to provide these services to children,” said project hygienist Katherine Harvey. Harvey noted that “many families simply lack the knowledge that 99 percent of all cavities are preventable through proper preventative dental health care such as brushing and flossing.” In Colorado, 7.8 million hours of school are lost each year due to oral pain.
This problem is representative of a larger issue facing Garfield County. There are limited resources for children who need affordable dental care. To combat these issues, a local coalition of dentists, hygienists, and health and human service organizations has formed to begin looking at sustainable dental solutions for low-income households in the community.
Colorado is 74% fluoridated:NYSCOF
Many of the children had not seen a dentist in a long time, and some had never been to a dentist at all. For some of the children, the level of decay is painful and potentially dangerous. Nationally, one in three American children lack dental insurance. We often hear about the need for better health insurance. However, dental care is often overlooked.
Running through November, Garfield County Public Health will be in six local schools providing free dental cleanings, fluoride varnishes, and dental sealants to more than 500 elementary school children. The program works within the schools to provide a convenient way for parents to have their children's teeth examined. Following the examination, many children are referred on to their local dentist for follow-up care. The initiative is being led by Public Health under funding from the Caring for Colorado Foundation in cooperation with Western Colorado Area Health Education Center.
“We just received word that Caring for Colorado has granted us funds to continue with the program and expand services to several additional Garfield County schools,” said Carrie Godes, program coordinator with Public Health.
“We are so excited to be able to provide these services to children,” said project hygienist Katherine Harvey. Harvey noted that “many families simply lack the knowledge that 99 percent of all cavities are preventable through proper preventative dental health care such as brushing and flossing.” In Colorado, 7.8 million hours of school are lost each year due to oral pain.
This problem is representative of a larger issue facing Garfield County. There are limited resources for children who need affordable dental care. To combat these issues, a local coalition of dentists, hygienists, and health and human service organizations has formed to begin looking at sustainable dental solutions for low-income households in the community.
Colorado is 74% fluoridated:NYSCOF
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