February is Children’s Dental Health Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  A small boy breathes hard, sitting in a chair he has never been in before. He appears to be surrounded by scary tools. He reflects on how he got here and remembers seeing a giant toothbrush coming at him, and his parents giving the creature their full approval.

The boy is asked to open wide. A moment ago he thought the last thing he'd ever want to do is remain in this chair. Now, he decides, the last thing he wants is to open his mouth.

The giant toothbrush was a costume worn by a dental assistant with the 673d Dental Squadron, visiting Child Development Centers throughout the month, intended to make oral hygiene friendly and fun. The real scare isn't the toothbrush, toothpaste, dentist or even the sometimes scary dentist tools. The real scare is the consequences of a cavity that all of the above are designed to treat, and prevent as much as possible.

The dentist can't do it alone. He needs the help of the patient and family, and child-friendly tactics.

The month of February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and Tech. Sgt. Millicent Cavazos said it is very important.

Cavazos is the coordinator for month's events on JBER. In conjunction with the event, she is responsible for spreading child dental awareness all across JBER
Each February, dentists and dental professionals focus on efforts to improve the oral health of all children. "The goal is to instill in them the proper practice of brushing and flossing as well having a healthy diet and nutrition at an early age," Cavazos said.

Providing children with the knowledge of dental health protects them of future issues with their teeth, she said. The demonstrations show young children how to keep their teeth healthy and clean in a fun and inventive way.

"We plan on getting more children concerned with their dental health by continuing to promote dental education and organizing dental community events throughout the year," Cavazos said.

The events are used to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Cavazos is hoping to instill routine basic oral health practices for the youth.

"It's kind of like a basic start for them to flossing and brush for two minutes," Cavazos said.

Dental cavities, also known as tooth decay, are caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel. This breakdown is the result of bacteria on teeth that breakdown foods and produce acid that destroys tooth enamel and results in tooth decay.

According to the Centers of Disease Control, although cavities are largely preventable, they remain the most common chronic disease of children and adolescents. Tooth decay is four times more common than asthma among adolescents. Dental caries also affects adults, with nine out of 10 older than 20 affected.

Water fluoridation has been a major contributor to the decline of the rate of tooth decay. Studies have shown that water fluoridation can reduce the amount of decay in children's teeth by 18 to 40 percent.

Cavazos keeps an eye on the influences children have, and said much of it starts with parents.

"I think that it actually starts with the mom and dad teaching the children," she said. "Any (information) they can gather from school, the CDC or TV, or the American Dental Association helps."

The coordinator is working the child-friendly dental program events around the installation.

"During the month, places such as the Child Development Centers will host events every Friday of the month," Cavazos said. They plan to visit nearly 300 children between the CDCs with costumed characters and handouts.

Dental care is not just to solve problems as they come.

"It is important for children to see a dentist at least once a year to help prevent tooth decay," Cavazos said. "And in addition, if there are any cavities beginning to form, they can be (repaired)."

Cavazos said she teaches her own children about dental care.

"I'm actually a bit stricter with them, because they are my kids," she said. "My whole goal is to give them a head start on proper brushing. I want them to have a lifetime of healthy and positive hygiene."

"Right now, there's at least one out of four children who come in with decay, which is an improvement from recent years," she said. "I'm sure that's our efforts and what we teach our patients."