Clinic helps area students keep their teeth healthy

NORTH CANAAN — Dental technician Pam Lindau can practically tell your fortune by your teeth. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration. But she can certainly tell who’s been brushing and flossing daily — and predict the future for those who aren’t.

Lindau is at North Canaan Elementary School this month, offering free dental examinations as part of a clinic sponsored by the Sharon-based Foundation for Community Health. She is traveling to all six Region One elementary schools, where students, regardless of insurance, can have a cleaning and fluoride treatment.

“Education is a big part of it,� she said. “It’s reinforcement about good dental habits. It’s great when I can tell a child they have been doing a good job.�

She sees many of the region’s students when they come for their regular checkups at the Booker Memorial Children’s Dental Center in Torrington. A lot of them hop into the exam chair in the school nurse’s office, already friends with Lindau.

Others are quickly charmed by her warm personality. Everyone leaves smiling, new toothbrush and sticker in hand.

Rory Distin, 6, is one of Lindau’s regulars. They chatted about how he and his mom are doing with daily dental care. He was obviously relaxed in the exam chair.

How many teeth do you have now? Lindau asked.

“The same as last time,� Rory answered.

Uhhh, nope. Lindau found three new ones — 6-year molars — and another on its way.

Rory deftly handled a suction tube he calls Mr. Thirsty, while Lindau cleaned his teeth — mmm, strawberry — and applied the latest in fluoride. The sticky substance doesn’t have to be rinsed and there’s no more half-hour wait before eating.

This is the second year the clinic has been offered. The numbers of participating students took a big leap this year.

“Word is getting out,� North Canaan School Nurse Ellie Connell said. “Even if they have their own dentist, it’s an extra, free cleaning. There’s no reason not to do it.�

Lindau added that even families with dental coverage sometimes skip checkups.

“Most have to go to a dentist who is far enough away that the kids miss half a day of school. And that means a parent can be missing a half-day of work. They tell me they fear losing their jobs. That, and the fact that insurance usually pays only a portion of costs means that with the economy the way it is, dental care is at risk.�

There is definitely a need here. So far this school year, she has held clinics in Cornwall, Sharon and Kent as well as North Canaan, she noted — and she said she was distressed to find eight students with abscesses, or gum infections. Another 10 had untreated cavities.

Connell said the clinic, which took students in first- through fifth-grades last year, was expanded to include kindergarten this year. Growing numbers will help ensure the clinic continues in coming years.

Lindau was thrilled with the increases, reporting Kent went from 40 students last year to 70 this year. Sharon went from 51 to 70. Cornwall participation nearly tripled, from 22 to 63. At NCES, numbers are up from 43 to 65.

Lindau said it’s never too soon to start taking children to the dentist.

“There is a state and national goal, through the Department of Public Health, of children having a dental ‘home’ [a visit to a dental office where there are technicians] by their first birthday.  That ensures their first trip is not a traumatic one. With good dental care early on, their visits should always be pleasant. It gets them started on good habits and it educates the parents.â€�