County's Seal-A-Smile program brings dental care to the classrooms at the Elkhorn Area School District.
Leaders of Seal-A-Smile program in Walworth County, which includes Wendy Zimmerman, EASD Nurse, (back, from left); registered hygienist Anne Pieters and Pam McCarthy, Pat Grove, Walworth County Health Officer; and dental hygienist Colleen Griffa (front) say they are excited to introduce the prevention dental program to local students like Jackson Elementary third-grader Leah Meersman, who will receive dental education, sealants, and fluoride varnish free of cost. (photo and article by Maureen Vander Sanden, Elkhorn Independent)
The Seal-A- Smile program will occur in the fall of the 2014-2015 school year at Jackson Elementary, West Side Elementary, and the Elkhorn Area Middle Schools in the Elkhorn Area School District. Parents of K, 2nd, 5th and 6th graders who have BadgerCare, no dental insurance, or no dental coverage for sealants where the cost would be a difficulty are encouraged to participate. No one will be denied participation in the program. The program consists of dental education, fluoride varnish application, and dental sealants. The goal is for all children to receive dental sealants through their dental providers or through the Seal-a-Smile program. It is noted that the prevalence of dental decay has been cited in more than 40% of 5-year-olds and 85% of 17-year-olds. Students with dental decay have been found to have chronic colds, speech difficulty, poor school attendance, poor school performance, are poor eaters, and many complain of pain with eating. These combine to make learning difficult. Dental cavities that progress to a severe decaying of the tooth can lead to pain, reduced appetite, mouth odor, infection and other potential harmful effects. When dental decay is severe, it is considered neglect and the school is required by law to notify Human Services if no parental action is taken to seek dental care in a reasonable amount of time. If you need assistance finding a dentist is Southeastern Wisconsin which accepts Medical Assistance or Badger Care Walworth County Public Health and Human Services at 262-741-3200. Clients with Badger Care Plus can call the 800 number on the back of their MA care to help locate a dentist in the Southeastern Wisconsin area who is currently accepting clients. For more information please contact: E. Chace Wolff, RDH, Seal a Smile Program Coordinator Walworth County Public Health 262-741-3132 - Office [email protected] |
The City of Elkhorn does NOT have fluoride in the city water. Please speak to your dental care provider about the lack of fluoride in the City of Elkhorn water and what you can do to help prevent dental decay.
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