Tri-County Health Network: National Children’s Dental Health Month

20 Feb Tri-County Health Network: National Children’s Dental Health Month

The American Dental Association (ADA) has designated February as National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The 2014 NCDHM campaign brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and others to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers, teachers, and many others.

Located in Southwest Colorado, Tri-County Health Network (TCHNetwork) is an advocate for oral health and wants to draw attention to the importance of taking care of our children’s teeth and gums.

“Oral health affects the health of the whole body. Good oral health starts with baby teeth and good oral hygiene habits begin with children.” says Katelyn Randolph, a Registered Dental Hygienist from the Uncompahgre Dental Center in Norwood, CO.

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits will help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. TCHNetwork also wants to emphasize the relationship between the health condition in a child’s mouth and overall health. In addition to jeopardizing health, cavities and tooth pain can keep students from fully engaging in school and delay learning. Also, depending on the age of the child, mouth pain may never be articulated, thus going untreated which can result in missed school, difficulty focusing, trouble chewing and eating as well as delayed growth.

To help ensure the kids in our communities get the healthy start they deserve, TCHNetwork will again be providing its San Juan Kids Cavity Prevention Program (Skippy) this spring. Skippy will visit 12 schools in Delta, Ouray, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties beginning March 24^th through April 30^th. Our Registered Dental Hygienists provide preventive oral health services to children at no cost, including fluoride treatments and sealants, while they attend school. Contact TCHNetwork for more information.

Tri-County Health Network is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality and coordination of health and healthcare services in rural southwestern Colorado by increasing access to healthcare and integrative health services at lower costs through collaboration and innovation.  Since 2008, it has operated “Skippy”; an innovative, scalable and replicable mobile school based cavity prevention program serving children ages one through twelve.