Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
In order for us to speak to communicate with each other in order for us to feel good about
ourselves and in terms of our self-image a lot of that comes around to a good smile.
And then in addition to that we need our teeth to eat for good nutrition and also we need
a healthy mouth in order to be healthy overall in our bodies.
The goal of the Oral Health Across the Commonwealth program is to bring dental care to children
in Massachusetts who wouldn't otherwise have a place to go. We provide prevention, we
provide oral health education and we provide the restorative services completing the circle
of care. Both my children started when they were in
kindergarten. Not only do I want them to have beautiful smiles and healthy teeth and
gums. But I also know that poor oral hygiene can lead to other health problems, so I want
to give them the best shot I can. I'm excited after each visit, one because
I like how my teeth feel after, two because they give out these really nice bags with
toothbrushes. I brush my teeth so I don't get cavities and
my teeth don't fall out. Kids come from all different types of backgrounds
and have all sorts of needs and being able to work with them and realizing that they're
each individualized is very important. We do a tell, show, do method for every procedure
we perform on younger patients. Just don't understand how unruly the tongue
can be or simple things like that. They can tell you all about it in the classroom
but until you actually see it happening you really have no idea. For us it was the technical
skills but also getting a feel for what our community really needs and where there is
a deficit in providers. I think working with children in a school
system is a great opportunity for the students to really have to interact with patients,
to teach the student to realize that there is a person on the other end of the tooth.
Truly in dental school education we are training people to become proficient technically but
important I think and I think for a lot of people at Tufts to make sure the students
appreciate where that technical skill fits in, not just with them as an individual but
in their communities.