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Kids’ health in spotlight

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:48:00 GMT

CHILDREN’S health, particularly their teeth, was the focus of an event held at Ramsey Town Hall. The focus of last Saturday was the government’s oral health strategy, which was released last year with statistics showing poor dental health for under-fives in particular. The event featured advice on oral hygiene, healthy eating, bedtime routines and more. It was organised by the Northern Multi Agency Team (MAT), which is made up of a number of professional disciplines from government and the voluntary sector and includes health, education and church representatives, The Children’s Centre and the police.

Grainne Burns, youth officer with the Department of Education and Children and northern chairman of MAT, explained that the aim was to make the oral health findings more realistic for parents and children. ‘We are trying to emphasise the importance of a bedtime routine in encouraging children to clean their teeth and want to emphasise healthy options for food and drink,’ she said.

Scoill Ree Gorree head teacher Jacqui Barrow, health visitor Emma Cleator and youth leader Vida Porter, were among those who read stories to children in the library, while Chris Wilson, who is in charge of primary school meals, distributed information on appropriate foods and drinks for children. On this theme, parents and children were able to use a computer programme to look at the nutritional content of foods and there were fun activities such as arts and crafts and face-painting. Northern primary schools, playgroups and pre-school groups took part in a colouring competition promoting cleaning their teeth, with prizes donated by businesses.

Oral health for children

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:24:45 GMT

The American Dental Association (ADA) has declared February as National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM).(1) This is an annual event each February, and the goal is to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Messages and materials for children’s oral health are available for communities across the country. The focus is on developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular oral health care visits to help children with a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

This year the campaign's slogan is "ROCK YOUR SMILE". Flossy and Buck McGrinn are featured. A poster is available in English and Spanish. There is also a planning guide. The NCDHM Program Planning Guide offers program coordinators, dental societies, teachers and parents resources to promote the benefits of good oral health to children. The guide includes easy-to-do activities, program planning timetable tips, a sample NCDHM proclamation, and much, much more. Posters are available in English and Spanish.(2)

In a recent Sunstar Newsletter, the topic was Children’s Oral Health under Siege.(3) The opinion of two experts interviewed agreed that there is confusion about the age of a child’s first dental visit. It is recommended that the first dental visit be age 1, but the message is not well known to some dental and medical professionals.(4) The risks created by delaying the first dental visit beyond age one are important, and could be a threat to children’s oral health.

For more information on children’s oral health, visit the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.(5) “The mission of the AAPD is to advocate policies, guidelines, and programs that promote optimal oral health and oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.”(6)

Treating children involves inaction with the child and their parent or caregiver. Some clinicians feel it is advantageous to ask the parent or caregiver to leave the room if the child’s behavior is bad. However, many clinicians feel more comfortable with the parents in the room. For assistance in this area, see the Guideline on Behavior Guidance for the Pediatric Dental Patient.(7)

At the 2011 American Academy of Physician Assistants' 39th Annual Meeting, dental health was stated as the most common unmet health need, and that it can severely affect systemic health. Disparities in oral health and access to care exist in all ages, but especially in the young, elderly, and uninsured.(8)

Smiles for Life, a comprehensive national curriculum developed by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Group on Oral Health, outlines the role that primary care pediatric clinicians play in maintaining children's oral health.(9) Smiles for Life was established in October 2005 to address a need for high-quality residency and medical school curricula in an area of documented physician knowledge deficit.

During regular well-child visits, primary-care clinicians normally see children eight times more often than the dentist or other oral health care professional does, and they have a real opportunity to make a difference in these children. A risk-factor assessment will dictate how the child should be treated. Recommendations state that the dental home be established in the first year of a child's life, and if the patient has limited access to dental care, the primary-care clinician has to take a more active role in prevention.(8)

Nutrition is also very important in our discussion about health. Good oral health and good nutrition go hand-in-hand. Discussing a recent study, the authors stated that added sweeteners pose dangers to health that justify controlling them like alcohol.(10) The authors admit that food, unlike alcohol and tobacco, is required for survival. However, they say that taxes, zoning ordinances and even age limits for purchasing certain sugar-filled products are all suitable actions for the problem posed by sugar.

In a New York Times article, author Lustig blamed our excessive consumption of sugar as the primary reason that the numbers of obese and diabetic Americans have skyrocketed in the past 30 years.(11) He believes that sugar is also the likely dietary cause of several other chronic ailments widely considered to be diseases of Western lifestyles, such as heart disease, hypertension and many common cancers among them. And we know the role of sugar in tooth decay.

In a graphic provided with information from U.S.D.A. 2009, the New York Times article shows what an average American consumes in added sugars in one year, which is four gallons of high fructose corn syrup a year and 313 gallons in a lifetime. Fructose is now on the list of ingredients deemed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The American Dental Association has a fact sheet on Diet and Tooth Decay.(12)

Many companies and organizations provide information on oral care for children. At Crest Oral-B, you can download and print free Disney-themed Dental Health Month materials. You can download: kids' activities book in English and Spanish; parents' education guide in English and Spanish; and an office poster in English and Spanish.(13)

Colgate has a variety of resources on Oral Care for Children.(14) They also have their Bright Smiles-Bright Futures Program for children in need.(15) Sunstar Americas has information for children and products for children, such as GUM Star Wars Toothbrushes, GUM Crayola Timer Light Toothbrush, and more.(16)

Philips has Sonicare For Kids, clinical studies, videos, and other resources for children.(17) Johnson and Johnson Professional features products for children and free downloadable brochures, such as: Fun Way to Get Kids to Use a Fluoride Rinse (18) and Tips for Engaging Kids Early in Oral Care.(19)

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association has resources for children.(20) The National Maternal & Child Oral Health Resource Center has a plethora of information and resources.(21) This is by no means an exhaustive list, but just a few of the resources available.

Most off-reserve aboriginal kids in excellent health

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:46:24 GMT

Most First Nations and Métis children living off reserve reported excellent or very good health but factors like poor housing conditions and access to medical care seem to make a difference, a report suggests. Statistics Canada reported Wednesday on the health of aboriginal children younger than six based on parents' perceptions.

Previous research showed higher rates of injury, accidental injury and sudden infant death in aboriginal compared with non-aboriginal populations. Aboriginal children are also at higher risk of chronic ear infection, respiratory tract infections, obesity, dental problems and of being hospitalized for asthma.

Family and social conditions such as household income, parents' education and food security are related to the health of aboriginal children. To find out more, the agency surveyed parents or guardians of 12,845 aboriginal children living off reserve based on the 2006 census. From the parents' perspective, 85 per cent of First Nations children were in excellent or very good health compared with 90 per cent for all Canadian children.

The most common chronic conditions were:
Asthma (10 per cent among First Nations and Métis children).
Speech and language difficulties (10 per cent First Nations and nine per cent among Métis).
Allergies (9 per cent First Nations and 10 per cent for Métis).
Lactose intolerant (7 per cent for First Nations and six per cent among Métis).
"In the current study, the likelihood that these conditions had been professionally diagnosed and treated varied substantially, which may reflect differences in access to medical care or treatment options," Leanne Findlay of Statistics Canada’s health analysis division and Teresa Janz of the agency's health statistics division wrote.

"The current study provides evidence for associations between the health of aboriginal children and several social determinants of health, including the number of people raising the child, breastfeeding, housing conditions, and perceptions of community health facilities."

Geographical differences
Boys and children raised by one person rather than two had lower odds of excellent or very good health, the researchers said. Children who lived in homes where they never went hungry because food was unavailable and where there wasn't regularly smoking were more likely to be in excellent or very good health.

Parents who rated their child's health positively may be more likely to rate their housing and community health facilities favourably as well, the authors acknowledged. Geographically, First Nations children living off reserve in Atlantic Canada and Ontario were more likely to be in top health compared with those in the Western provinces and the territories.

Children in Saskatchewan were less likely to show excellent or very good health than their peers in Quebec, Alberta or British Columbia. The researchers cautioned the findings cannot be generalized to the 43 per cent of First Nations people who live on reserves, and that the measurements of child health in their analysis may not fully capture aboriginal understanding that includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.

Rising pollution takes a toll on kids’ health

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:22:30 GMT

JAIPUR: Being born in a big city is always considered a privilege given the access to good schooling, exposure to high standards of living, all of which go into making children confident and ready to take on the world.

However, there's a flip side to it as well. High levels of pollution, increasing peer pressure and binging on fast food are some of the few unpleasant factors associated with a city life.

Fourteen-year-old Mukesh Sharma of Shyam Nagar says a city like Jaipur, that has got several good schools, provides him a chance to aspire for ambitious career goals. "But, the pollution level is high in the city. Noise and air pollution are taking a toll on my health. I often have an upset stomach due to eating junk food."

Experts too feel that living conditions, as far as health is concerned, in rural areas are definitely better than in cities. J K Lon Hospital (a childcare specialty centre) superintendent Dr SD Sharma said, "The suicidal tendencies are higher among urban students as they live under constant stress due to studies and peer pressure. They eat junk food, don't do any physical work or exercises, which make them prone to various kinds of illness."

A recent state survey 'International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood' revealed that the children in the state are vulnerable to asthma and nose and eye allergies.

Head of division of allergy & pulmonary medicine at SMS Medical College, Dr Virendra Singh, says, "During the survey in Jaipur, we found that 8% of the children are suffering from asthma. Incidences of eye and nose allergies are found to be the highest among children in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner."

Singh, who was the survey's national coordinator, says such problems arise because of presence of pollutants in the air, mainly harmful gases emitted by vehicles.

Not indulging in any kind of physical activity also makes urban kids more vulnerable to respiratory diseases. Add to that, high intake of junk food instead of following a nutrient-rich diet, is another reason for low immunity among these children. Sources said respirable particulate matter (RSPM) is above the normal level in various parts of the city, which may cause respiratory diseases.

For instance, RSPM level in Chandpole (one of the most polluted areas in the city) was measured at 206 mcg (micrograms) last year, twice the national standard level of 100 mcg.

Dr Sharad Tikkiwal of Asthma Bhawan, a private hospital in Vidyadhar Nagar that exclusively treats asthma patients, presses the alarm for city kids. "The number of asthma cases among children is increasing because of rising levels of pollution and change in the lifestyle pattern."

RB partnering globally with ‘Save the Children’

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:52:40 GMT

Islamabad—A Million Brighter Futures: Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is partnering globally with “Save the Children” to help save the lives of children around the world. Under the program of “A Million Brighter Futures”, Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan has donated 80,000 bars of anti-bacterial soap to the children amongst the flood victims of Pakistan. Pictured above are Mr. Tahir Malik , CEO Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan and Mr. Hassan Noor Saadi, Deputy Country Director Save the Children Pakistan, at the handing over event of the goods in Islamabad.

RB delivers performance in everything it does, including social responsibility. It is deeply committed to sharing some of the wealth it creates with the people who need it most and helps to improve children’s health, hygiene and social development around the world.

Save the Children is the largest independent children’s charity worldwide. With support from RB and many others, they are able to continue their vital work in five specific areas: health, education, freedom from hunger, protection and emergency response.

Breastfeeding 'fends off asthma'

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:25:38 GMT

An international team, led by the University of Otago, has shown that breastfeeding of infants has a clear protective effect against the children developing asthma or wheezing up to six years of age, 'The Journal of Paediatrics' reported.

In their study, researchers analysed 1,105 infants in New Zealand over six years before coming to the conclusion that it has a protective effect on the development of asthma in kids. In fact, the team asked questions about breastfeeding and gathered information on wheezing and asthma in the children at two, three, four, five and six years.

The protective effect against the development of asthma is even stronger in those infants and children who are atopic, that is those who have allergies and are therefore more vulnerable, the findings revealed.
Exclusive breastfeeding for three months within this atopic sub-group reduced current asthma at six years by 59 per cent, bringing their risk down to that of non-atopic children.

"These are very robust and convincing results which support a global public health message to breastfeed to prevent asthma," lead author Dr Karen Silvers said in a varsity release. She added: "If every infant in this NZ cohort had been exclusively breast fed for six months, as is recommended by the WHO, current asthma would have been reduced by 50 per cent at two years, 42 per cent at three, 30 per cent at four, 42 per cent at five and 32 per cent at six years."

The study shows a waning of the impact of breastfeeding after four years of age, which Silvers said is to be expected as children are exposed to other risk factors for asthma and wheezing as they age.

Health Dept. offers dental care for kids

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:31:12 GMT

NEW PORT RICHEY --National Children's Dental Health Month in February urges youths to "Rock Your Smile."The Pasco County Health Department joins the American Dental Association to stress the importance of developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits.

"Children's teeth are meant to last a lifetime," David Johnson, health department director, said. "Your child's food and drink choices can impact their future oral health."The Pasco County Health Department has added staff members to its pediatric dental team. They include doctors Beth Genho, Michael Valancius and Leslie Hernandez.

Americans consume food and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before, Johnson said. Sugar on teeth provides food for bacteria, which produce acid. The acid eats away the enamel on teeth. A diet high in sugars and starches increases the risk of tooth decay, experts say. Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing.

Tips to reduce a child's risk of tooth decay include:

Indulge in sugary foods and drinks with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth. Limit between-meal snacks.
Chew only sugarless gum. After eating, the gum can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.

Offer water, low-fat milk and other beverages to youngsters instead of letting them consume soft drinks all day. Help children develop good brushing and flossing habits. Schedule regular dental visits. The health department can help with that last tip. The public health agency offers dental services by appointment to anyone up to age 20 at its office at 10841 Little Road, and is available to children with Florida Medicaid coverage.

Georgia's child obesity ads aim to create movement out of controversy

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:53:21 GMT

It started with the denial of a growing health crisis. Nearly 40% of Georgia's children are overweight or obese -- the second-highest rate in the nation -- yet 50% of Georgians don't consider child obesity a problem. What's more, 75% of parents of obese children don't think they have a problem on their hands, according to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the state's largest pediatric health care system.

In response, Children's Healthcare crafted an ad campaign intended to highlight the roles of parents and caregivers in the widening epidemic. The posters and TV spots of obese children with doleful eyes were as stark as their accompanying messages: "Being fat takes the fun out of being a kid," and "It's hard to be a little girl if you're not," to name a few. "We felt that because there was so much denial that we needed to make people aware that this is a medical crisis," Chief Administrative Officer Linda Matzigkeit said. "We knew flowery ads don't get people's attention. We wanted to come up with something arresting and hard-hitting to grab people."

The buzz began almost as soon as the ads started appearing in September on billboards, buses and train platforms around Atlanta. Critics felt images from the Strong4Life campaign were too negative and perpetuated weight-based stereotypes without providing concrete solutions. "There seems to be this perception that it's OK to shame children and families struggling with obesity because that will provide an incentive to lose weight," said Rebecca Puhl, director of research and weight stigma initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University.

"However, research in weight bias shows that when individuals feel shamed or stigmatized because of weight they're actually more likely to engage in behaviors that reinforce obesity: unhealthy eating, avoidance of physical activity, increased caloric intake."The TV spots stopped airing in Georgia in October and most of the billboards have come down. But conversations around the campaign continued online and in media coverage worldwide, raising debate over what makes an ad effective when it comes to combating obesity.

Mommy bloggers take on anti-obesity ads
As far as Children's Healthcare is concerned, the fact that the ads sparked debate means they achieved their goal, regardless of the reaction. "Our intention was to get people talking about childhood obesity and we did that. We can't do this alone; it's going to take a whole community of physicians, parents and caregivers to solve the problem," Matzigkeit said.

"If parents continue to be in denial we're not going to get past this crisis."It's a crisis that has been fostered by a culture of convenience: fast food, calorie-dense meals and car-centric cities slowly building up to national obesity rates of 33.8% among adults and 17% in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stormy Bradley realizes now that she was one of those parents who didn't recognize her daughter had a real problem. "It's just a phase; she'll grow out of it," she told herself.

"I think I should've been more proactive earlier on," the Atlanta mother said. "I just didn't want to have a conversation that would upset her or put a rift between us, also because I knew that would mean me having to face my own issues with weight."Then, Bradley saw an ad on Facebook in February 2011 looking for overweight children. She asked her 13-year-old daughter, Maya Walters, if she was interested and at the audition, the two learned about the substance of the ads.

They also heard about the potential backlash they could face if she accepted the part. "I was a little bit hesitant but then when I thought about it, I was like well it'll be a good message to other kids like me," Maya said. What's the message? "Being overweight is a problem, but you're not the only one dealing with it," she said. Feedback from her peers has been positive, she said -- most were surprised to see her on TV and billboards. She also became involved in the media blitz defending the ads, appearing on local news and the Today Show.

Through the experience, Maya and her mother were offered the chance to utilize the hospital's Health4Life clinic, where she developed small changes to her daily routine through consultations with doctors, psychologists, nutritionists and exercise physiologists. And, she's sticking with it, she and mother attested.

Fruits are surprisingly filling, she said. She can't remember the last time she drank soda after giving up sugary beverages for water and the occasional packet of sugar-free drink mix. She typically exercises at least 30 minutes a day, either by walking the dog with her mom or going to the park or playing on the Wii her younger brother.

By the time school began last fall, she was ready to try out for the cheerleading squad and made it, which means two training sessions a week along with two to three games. "The smaller things definitely make a change," she said in a phone interview Sunday as she and her mother drove to a "Black Girls Run" event in Lithonia, Georgia. "It's very hilly in my neighborhood but now when I walk the dog I don't get as tired. With cheerleading, we have to run a mile at least. And before I couldn't do the whole thing but now I can."Maya came to the campaign as a paid model, but the hospital considers her an example of how Strong4Life helps children set goals for a healthy lifestyle, complete with videos documenting their journeys.

She's not the only one, according to the hospital. The Health4Life Clinic had 350 patient visits in 2010 and nearly 600 patient visits in 2011, with physicians treating more than 100 children with fatty liver disease and/or cirrhosis, conditions that are rarely seen among children who are not overweight. The multi-disciplinary approach is widely regarded as an effective tool in helping families make small changes in their daily routine. But among critics, those tools were buried far too deep within the initial ad campaign.

"The stark settings, their forlorn looks and body language convey an image of kids who are alone and don't have the support of the community. They teach us that we should feel sorry for fat kids and that it's normal to tease and abuse them," said Amy Farrell, author of "Fat Shame: Stigma of Fat.""The approach should be to try to change those ideas with positive messages that encourage kids, parents and the community to get involved in encouraging kids to be active and eat well," said Farrell, a professor of American studies and Women's & Gender Studies at Dickinson College. In recent weeks, critics of Strong4Life's ads have compared them to a new campaign encouraging New Yorkers to cut their portion sizes. The Health Department's posters also employ austere black-and-white scenes of obese people, but the messaging is more direct.

One poster shows a man with his leg amputated below his knee, crutches leaning against the wall, with the message "Portions Have Grown: So Has Type 2 Diabetes, Which Can Lead to Amputations."
Still, the poster is generating controversy for a different reason, after the New York Times revealed that the image had been digitally altered to remove the man's leg.

"This issue isn't about one actor, but rather the 700,000 New Yorkers who struggle with diabetes, which kills 1,700 people a year and causes amputations in another 3,000," Health Department spokesman John Kelly said in a statement to the paper. "Advertising to warn the public about health concerns saves lives, and we will continue our efforts to warn New Yorkers about diabetes."

The hard-hitting tone of Children's Healthcare's ads were inspired by Georgia METH Project's "Not Even Once" campaign, along with other state-led campaigns against smoking and drug abuse, which tend to pair a minimalist aesthetic with brutal, straightforward wording. With smoking and drug abuse, the main targets of public health initiatives are users. But campaigns to combat obesity, especially childhood obesity, set their sights on those struggling with their weight, caregivers and the community -- essentially, society at large. "The target is everyone, whether they're fat or not, that somehow we should all be taking responsibility for what's perceived as an epidemic," said Farrell.

"The stigma itself needs to be addressed itself because until we do that, why would a fat child want to go out on the playground and be teased? We want to create an environment where people are not treated so poorly because of their bodies that they'll want go out and enjoy physical movement."It's a sentiment that representatives from Children's Healthcare agree with, one that they say moves the discussion beyond an ad campaign to a movement that fosters healthier lifestyles. That means training pediatricians and health care providers on how to talk about obesity with families; it means giving families the tools to start making steps toward positive change.

"If you look at steps it takes to initiate long-term change, the first thing you need is to be aware that there's a problem and then you need the intent to change," said Dr. Mark Wulkan, the hospital's chief surgeon and professor-in-chief of pediatric surgery at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. "The first phase of the ad campaign was about raising awareness and generating the intent to change. Now, it's becoming a movement, where we move on to changing the culture that has created this epidemic."

Positive parenting prevents obesity in kids

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:06:56 GMT

Positive parenting during the child's formative years could help prevent obesity among them. Today, one out of five US children is obese. They are five times more likely than their peers to be obese by adolescence, facing higher risk for a range of medical, social and academic problems.

The new study, led by Laurie Miller Brotman, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the New York University, investigated whether early family intervention that was effective for parents of children with behaviour problems, resulted in lower rates of obesity.

This innovative study took advantage of two long-term follow up studies of high-risk children who had participated in evaluations of either ParentCorps or another effective parenting intervention, the "Incredible Years," during early childhood, the journal Paediatrics reports.

The study involved 186 children from low-income, minority families at high risk for obesity who were randomly assigned to family intervention or a control group when the children were approximately four years old. Behavioural family intervention in early childhood included a series of weekly two-hour parent and child groups over a six-month period, according to a New York statement.

"Children who enter school with behaviour problems are at very high risk for academic under-achievement and school dropout, anti-social behaviour, delinquency, obesity and other health problems," said Brotman.

In both follow-up studies, children who were assigned to the intervention and children in the control condition (without intervention) were evaluated from three to five years later. Children who received family intervention during early childhood had significantly lower rates of obesity compared to children in the control group. In the larger study, without intervention, more than half of the children with early behaviour problems were obese by second grade.

Dental school provides free care for local children

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:58:34 GMT

Before Ostrow School of Dentistry’s Give Kids a Smile Day on Friday, Jessica Garcia had never been to the dentist. “They were nice,” said Garcia, 5, a kindergarten student at the James A. Foshay Learning Center. “It was fun and they counted my teeth.”

“I have 20 teeth!” said classmate Dajah Nicholson, 5, a kindergarten student at Foshay, “And I learned it’s important to brush your teeth.”The Ostrow School of Dentistry brought two mobile vans to the Foshay Learning Center, a K-12 school one mile west of the University Park Campus, to give elementary school-aged children dental screenings Friday.

Students who returned parental consent forms were brought classroom-by-classroom onto the physical education field. After meeting the dental hygienists, one of whom was dressed as the tooth fairy, students were taken into vans equipped with dental chairs and implements for their screenings.

The screening allowed hygienists to determine whether students were eligible to receive sealants, thin plastic coverings applied to molars to prevent tooth decay, according to Linda Brookman, co-director of the Neighborhood Mobile Dental Van Prevention Program.

“The focus of our program is largely on prevention,” Brookman said. “By providing screenings and eventually sealants, we are trying to stem the tide of dental disease.” The USC mobile vans will return in the coming months to apply sealants to eligible students. Some families also received $100 vouchers for dental care at the Ostrow School of Dentistry, said Roseann Mulligan, chair of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry.

“The need is so great,” Mulligan said. “Cavities are truly an epidemic in L.A. County and the lower-income population of the United States.”Mulligan said about 73 percent of children in L.A. County have insufficient dental care.

Dean of the Ostrow School of Dentistry Avishai Sadan said the implications of this event and pediatric dental care go far beyond nice smiles. “When kids are in pain from toothaches and infections, the deck is stacked against them,” Sadan said. “Some people forget that your mouth is part of your head, but we know the impact we can make on the community and we ensure it remains a priority. We believe it’s the right thing to do.”

While 100 students received screenings, more than 600 students received oral hygiene instruction in a nearby classroom. Classes were brought in one at a time and received a short lesson on proper dental care from Dr. Julie Jenks, a professor of hygiene.

“I want to get them enthused so they can see what they themselves can do to take care of their teeth,” Jenks said. Jenks said this includes choosing healthy snacks, chewing sugarless gum and rinsing after eating. Christopher Chan, a third-year dental student, dressed as a molar and taught the Foshay students how to brush their teeth with a five-foot long toothbrush.

“This is my first time dressing-up as a molar, but I believe the dental school has prepared me well,” Chan said. “I do like the fact that USC is involved with the community, though. It’s a lot of fun and really creates positive change.”

Farnaz Jahangiri, a junior majoring in dental hygiene, said this was one of the first times she had the opportunity to serve the community through dentistry. “This is one of the best experiences I have ever had,” Jahangiri said, “I’ve never worked with kids before, but they are really trying to cooperate.”

The dental hygiene students comprised most of the work force, according to the Chair of the Dental Hygiene Program. This is the 10th year USC participated in the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile Day; is one of the Ostrow School of Dentistry’s many community outreach initiatives.

To ensure that students apply what they learned in school to their home lives, each student received a bag with dental supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste and floss), toys and an instruction sheet. Students who were screened were able to choose a new book from a selection donated by the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation.

“I’m feeling good and happy because I’m going to the dentist,” said Brian Beltran, 6. “I learned that teeth are important because you use them when you eat and when you smile.”