Airmen from the 20th Dental Squadron visited High Hills Elementary School, here, as well as other schools in the community during National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Every year, 20th DS Airmen educate children at schools in the community about good oral hygiene.
“For some of the children we see at these school visits, it’s their first time seeing a dentist,” said Capt. (Dr.) Sarah Curry, 20th DS dentist. “It’s important for us as providers to give children the opportunity to speak to a dentist and get them familiar with what we do and how we can help them.”
During the visits, Airmen showed children examples of what poor oral hygiene could lead to, and demonstrated good flossing and brushing techniques.
The children were also given examples of the possible effects that tobacco and tongue piercings could have on their oral health.
“I give them a visual of what oral cancer looks like and let them know this is what could happen if you use tobacco products,” said Senior Airman Maricia Williams, 20th DS oral preventative assistant. “For the older kids, I let them know what it looks like when tongue piercings get infected. Everyone knows what tongue piercings look like when they go right, not everyone knows what they look like when they go wrong.”
Before leaving, the Airmen handed out bags with dental essentials such as age-appropriate toothbrushes and toothpaste, a timer and floss.
So far this year, the 20th DS has visited around 300 children between the base and Sumter, South Carolina, with the goal of reaching out to as many as possible.
Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of U.S. children from 2-5 years old and 50 percent of U.S. children 12-15 years old, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information, contact the 20th DS Clinic at 803-895-6988.
Date Taken: | 02.21.2017 |
Date Posted: | 02.21.2017 16:33 |
Story ID: | 224227 |
Location: | SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US |
Web Views: | 94 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Dental Squadron Airmen visit local schools, by SSgt Destinee Sweeney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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