Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
Young & Healthy has long understood that tooth pain is the number one reason students miss school. Our annual Mobile Dental Clinics and classroom dental health lessons are making a big difference, helping prevent these absences so that children can stay in school, learn, and thrive. At our recent Mobile Dental Clinic, Rebecca, a sweet first-grader from Madison Elementary School, took matters into her own hands.
When Rebecca saw the big dental vans in the school parking lot, she didn’t hesitate. In pain from a toothache and eager for relief, she bravely walked right up to the school’s Community Assistant and asked if she could be seen by a dentist. Our team immediately began working to help her. We contacted her parents to complete the paperwork and added her to the waitlist. Normally, pre-registration is required, and the dental students who handle x-rays had already finished for the day. Dr. Sunny, the clinic’s lead dentist, was the only one left who could perform x-rays, but her schedule was packed.
Despite this challenge, by the second day of the clinic, Dr. Sunny found time to see Rebecca. After examining her, Dr. Sunny discovered an infection in the root of one of Rebecca’s baby teeth. Since her permanent tooth wasn’t ready to come in yet, Rebecca needed a root canal to save the tooth. With incredible courage for someone so young, Rebecca sat through the procedure like a true champion. Thanks to the gentle nurturing care of Dr. Sunny and the dental students, the experience was nothing like the stressful, frightening trip to the dentist that so many children fear.
Nothing made us happier than hearing Rebecca clap her hands with joy after the procedure and seeing her skip back to her classroom, smiling, pain-free, and ready to learn!
