This year’s KOHC funding partners are focused on oral health education for young children and families in underserved rural areas of Kentucky, where alarming rates of dental poverty in young children are more prevalent. These areas also tend to have the least access to dental care.
Source: Figure 5. Dentist counts by county. https://medicine.uky.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/2023%20Dental%20Report%20Final%20Aug%2017%202023.pdf
Guest Contributor: Rhonda Collins, PHRDH – Lawrence County Health Department
My name is Rhonda Collins. Ten years ago, I joined the Lawrence County Health Department as a Public Health Registered Dental Hygienist to establish a school-based dental hygiene program, Smile Savers. I began my dental career more than 30 years ago as a dental assistant. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. I attended Prestonsburg Community College and received an associate’s degree in applied science. I always wanted to serve both my community and children, so I jumped on the opportunity to start a dental program at the health department.
Smile Savers brings preventive oral health services to students in Lawrence County which is vital in preventing dental decay and helping students develop healthy hygiene and nutrition habits. Our goal is for all children to have regular dental care, including a dental home with a local dentist, so they maintain good oral health throughout their life.
Over the years, we have found a barrier to good oral health is that many parents are not aware of its importance and do not always encourage their children to practice good oral hygiene. For this reason, Smile Savers recently implemented an Oral Health Literacy Campaign for pre-school aged children and their parents through a partnership with the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition. We are collaborating with Head Start and our public library for opportunities to reach kids and parents. Since parents have a role as their child’s lifelong educator and maintaining good oral health is essential for children’s overall well-being, parents reading books about oral health to their child could have a significant impact.
Our project provides the pop-up book, Brush Your Teeth, Please, that teaches young children the importance of dental hygiene through fun pop-up illustrations and rhyming text. It features animal characters demonstrating proper techniques. Most recently, I read the book to children and their parents during Story Hour at the library demonstrating proper brushing and flossing. The kids mimicked the characters pretending to brush their teeth.
Each child received their own copy of the book, a laminated I Brushed My Teeth chart with a dry erase marker to track daily brushing, and a new toothbrush. They immediately wanted to mark their chart for the day! I always emphasize the importance for parents to lead by example when it comes to brushing and flossing and hope that this will spark future conversations and good oral hygiene practice among the families.
When someone asks me why I work as a public health dental hygienist, the answer is always – the kids! They are curious and ask lots of questions. They love picking out their toothbrushes and many ask if they can take one home to a sibling. Of course, they can! Parents and teachers are grateful for Smile Savers, too. They have told us that many children have never been to a dentist and that the experience with Smile Savers puts them at ease and makes them feel comfortable about going to the dentist. The Smile Savers program has served thousands of children with education, screenings, sealants and assistance finding a dental home.
I am thankful for this opportunity to make a difference in our community. Children are our future, and our future depends on making investments in our children. We want them to lead happy, healthy lives with bright, shining smiles on their faces!
