Award-winning Peoria GKAS program reaches deep into area
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Posted Feb. 6, 2009 |
By Karen Fox Peoria, Ill.—Times are tough and getting tougher in downstate Illinois. Caterpillar Inc., the area's largest employer, recently laid off some 800 employees, nearby Keystone Steele and Wire Co. of Bartonville, Ill., has cut its workforce, and several retail outlets have closed their doors.
Patient no-shows are on the rise in some dental practices, and several dentists are noticing that patients opt out of preventive care and cleanings in favor of restorative treatment.
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Open up: Linda Thomas of the Peoria District Dental Society coaxes 1-year-old Jceannah into opening her mouth for Dr. Mike Moon, much to 3-year-old brother Jason's delight.
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In this time of economic uncertainty, 20 dentists and volunteers from the Peoria District Dental Society rolled up their sleeves Feb. 6 for Give Kids A Smile, reaching out to children and adolescents from low-income families through a number of initiatives designed to improve oral health.
"Today we have volunteer dentists at the Peoria City/County Health Department, Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Program and in their private offices providing care at appointed times," said Dr. Paul Amodeo, PDDS publicity chair. Separately, a number of dental society members have agreed to see patients for referral or at later dates as part of Give Kids A Smile.
The experience was personally rewarding for Dr. Scott Anderson, who treated five children in his office Feb. 6. "It was a good group of kids with very appreciative parents," said Dr. Anderson, adding that he provided mostly restorative care. It was his 7th consecutive year of participation.
Dr. Kevin Nelson saw five patients in his office, performing eight fillings and one extraction. He spent part of the morning treating an 11-year-old child who presented with blue plaque on his teeth and tongue. "It's really important at times like this to impress on parents that this is food-related, and is something that can be reversed with the right home care."
The Peoria District Dental Society encompasses seven counties, and uses every means possible to find patients in need of dental treatment for Give Kids A Smile. Member Dr. Clifford Brown coordinates a school-based sealant program, which enables him to screen patients for GKAS day. As dental director of the Peoria City/County Health Department, Dr. Susan Bishop also screens children and makes referrals to PDDS. Public service announcements are aired locally and spokespersons promote the event through local media.
Through its web of volunteers and various partnerships, Peoria District Dental Society's reach on Give Kids A Smile day is deep:
- nine dentists have volunteered to provide care in their offices;
- another five have volunteered to treat children at public facilities;
- 10 dentists will treat patients at a later date, with some being available for specialty care on an as-needed basis;
- A partnership with the Healthy Smiles program brings 2nd graders to Holt Health Education Center for educational activities;
- Collaboration with the Illinois Central College's dental hygiene program brings students and faculty into area schools for educational activities.
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Chatter: Two-year-old Micaiah demonstrates his bite with a tooth model at the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center.
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Not to mention the countless number of dentists providing care for free or low-cost on a regular basis without recognition, said Linda Thomas, PDDS executive director.
At the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center in Peoria, the focus is on the youngest dental patients. And for good reason: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that dental caries among preschoolers age 2-5 is on the rise for the first time in 50 years.
"The goal today is to get these children into a dental routine," said Paula Trone, a nurse for the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Program, outside a waiting room filled with preschoolers, parents, teachers and Flossie, the Illinois State Dental Society's mascot.
"We want to see as many kids as we can," said Ms. Trone. "I feel that this is where we've got to start instilling oral hygiene habits. We can teach parents to clean gums and teeth in infants, so that by the time the kids reach Head Start (age 3-5), we won't see as many problems."
It's a good ounce of prevention that thus far has garnered the Peoria District Dental Society three consecutive Illinois State Dental Society Give Kids A Smile awards and one national GKAS award from the American Dental Association.
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