Wouldn’t life be easier if your kids looked forward to going to the dentist? Taking children to the dentist can sometimes be a source of anxiety for parents. Often, rather than dealing with the issue, parents will put it off, thinking that dental care is not necessary for their young children. Fear of the unknown is a very common human emotion and prevents many parents from seeking proper dental preventive care for themselves as well. The consequences of this problem may go far beyond dental pain or tooth loss. Therefore, it is important to start your child with an early positive dental experience.The Miami-Dade County Health Department has turned a child’s dental visit into an educational adventure. Welcome to a dental office unlike any other. The journey begins with the “Seals on Wheels” mobile dental program. Children in elementary schools jump on board a mobile dental van parked at their schools. Upon entering the 40 foot vehicle, the children are amazed that there is a real dental office inside. The colorful van is outfitted with children in mind. It consists of state of the art dental equipment, two dental treatment chairs, and a reception area where children watch educational oral health videos and play with vibrant tooth model puppets. After asking various questions such as the ever popular “who drives the truck?” and “do you live here?” the fear factor quickly dissipates and the learning process begins.
On the van the children receive preventive dental procedures including dental examinations, dental cleanings, fluoride varnishes and dental sealants. Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are applied by a dental professional to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth from bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay.
Dental caries affects half of children in early elementary school and two-thirds of those who are 15 years of age. Most sealants are placed in private dental offices, but children at greatest risk for problems resulting from tooth decay are least likely to get private care. The Miami-Dade County Health Department has, therefore, focused on children with limited dental access to care through a school-based mobile dental sealant program, laying down the foundation for a lifelong adventure of healthy smiles.
