1/11/2010 10:40:00 PM Donating services:
Dentists help to prevent tooth decay
Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
Dr. Paul Wulff and dental assistant Dianna Siegfried clean 6-year-old Ally O'Neil's teeth before applying a sealant to her molars Friday morning in Prescott. Four Prescott dentists applied the sealant at no cost to Prescott Unified School District first- and second-grade students.
A simple dental procedure guards against cavities in children.
Four Prescott dentists donated their time and services Friday to apply dental sealant on the 6-year molars of about 60 Prescott Unified School District first- and second-grade students.
Retired dentist Ronald Moore suggested the sealant program to PUSD Superintendent Kevin Kapp, who readily agreed to the program.
The school district provided bus transportation to the dental offices, if parents could not take the students, dentists signed on to apply the sealant, and the Prescott Education Foundation paid for the materials.
Taylor Hicks Elementary School first-grader Chloe Carr was a little nervous before Dr. Paul Wulff applied the sealant to her teeth.
Chloe has been to the dentist before, but Wulff is not her dentist, and she had heard the other students saying the sealant tasted bad.
Chloe's mom, Kellie, had never heard of the dental sealant. When school officials sent information home about the program, she asked her friends about it.
"It seems like a good way to protect her teeth," Kellie said.
Sealant protects the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Even if children brush and floss carefully, it is hard to clean the tiny grooves and pits on molars.
In addition to Wulff, dentists Jason Campbell, Leon Wachtel and J.S. Goodwin donated their time and services to the sealing program Friday morning.
Wulff's office normally closes on Fridays. However, when Moore called about the program, office manager Kristie Richardson said the entire office staff agreed to participate.
"This is the type of thing that we like to participate in," Richardson said.
The dental sealant costs about $40 per tooth. Insurance companies usually pay for a portion of the costs, because the sealant is a preventive procedure.
Parent Missy Townsend said her family does not have dental insurance, and she appreciated the dentists offering the sealant free of charge.
Although Townsend had not heard of the sealant, her husband had it applied to his teeth when he was a child.
Townsend signed her first- grade daughter, Sara, up for the program.
"With all the costs of medical and dental care, this is definitely a benefit," Townsend said.
Sara indicated that having the sealant application was kind of fun.
Applying the sealant is a simple procedure: clean, etch and apply.
Wulff is already looking forward to participating in the program again next year.
"This was fantastic. It was a fun day. I only wish more students had participated," Wulff said.
Moore agrees. "Out of the 600 students eligible, only about 60 signed up for the sealant. Hopefully, we'll get more next year," he said.
Kapp expressed his gratitude "to the dentists and their offices for offering this preventive dental service to our students in Prescott Unified School District. I want to specifically thank Dr. Ron Moore for initiating and coordinating this wonderful idea. Once again our generous Prescott community comes through for our students."
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Article comment by:
Riley
To Cosmopolitan - See how quickly YOU get good dental care once you're on "Obamacare"! Why do you think the Brits have bad teeth?
Posted: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Article comment by:
to thankful
Can you explain why do you think that I should move "back" to Europe? Do I have to live here to respond to your comment? Obviously you have missed the point.Europe's children do not depend on a volunteers dentist's help to fix their teeth.It is their right to have a health care automatic instead of waiting for the insurance companies,the employer and the dozens of American local,state and federal agencies decide if the cavity should be fixed.Meanwhile the kid looses the tooth while a bunch of "decision" makers make their salaries.What a system.
Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Central AZ Dweller
What does the race thing have to do with protecting kids' teeth? I am confused.
Thank you to dentists for donating the time and materials to make this happen. If we did have national health care, perhaps it would happen for every child.
Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Candice
Dr. Wulff is the BEST dentist I've EVER went to. He was my first ever dentist and 20 yrs later Im still going to him. His staff and himself have been the kindest most wonderful people! He truly makes going to the dentist a pleasure!
Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Thankful
What a WONDERFUL thing for these dentists to do. I was not a recipient but would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all those involved! Kudos to you all. Perhaps "Cosmopolitan" should move to Europe!
Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Cosmopolitan.
Wow. What a progress. European children don't have to wait for volunteers to fix their teeth. It is part of being a child and growing up in Europe. I feel sad for this country. Does it matter here if the child is a lighter colored African or darker colored European?I want to know.
