Student practices her tooth-brushing routine.
The new collaboration focuses on reducing the disparity in access to dental care to under-served communities. In addition to staff at NWRESD, the effort includes representatives from community-based health centers, school district superintendents, dental distributors, and G.A.P.S. Foundation Board members in the two counties.
The project was kicked off in December with the donation of 200 dental kits from Henry Schein Company, a worldwide distributor of dental and other supplies. The kits -- containing toothpaste, tooth brushes and floss -- were distributed to young children who attend NWRESD's Early Intervention/Early Childhood programs, Head Start programs, and families who receive services from the Department of Human Services in Columbia and Tillamook counties.
According to NWRESD Tillamook pre-school teacher Linda Walker, "Students are having success in learning how to brush their teeth independently. With a generous donation from Henry Schein, each student has their own toothbrush and toothpaste. Each day after eating, the students clean up their place at the table and brush their teeth. It's a great way to incorporate this life skill into their daily routine."
Next on the list: Securing equipment to help community-based health centers in Columbia County setup small, volunteer-staffed dental clinics.
Attached Media Files: Student practices her tooth-brushing routine.
No comments:
Post a Comment