Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP) and St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital Celebrate Children's Dental Health Month with “Sealant Saturday” Event
Dr. Christopher Werner of Pennridge
Family Dentistry and his patient
Bink Weiss.
Quakertown, PA (2/16/2009) - February is Children's Dental Health Month. On February 7, the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP), the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists' Association and the Montgomery-Bucks Dental Hygiene Association in connection with St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital hosted "Sealant Saturday."
Throughout the year, St. Luke's Mobile Dental Van travels to different locations to provide children ages 3 to 18, many of whom are uninsured, with much needed dental care. Last year, the Dental Van visited 31 sites and clinicians provided care to almost 1,300 children.
The St. Luke's Mobile Dental Van was on location last weekend for the event where 16 children had their teeth sealed.
According to Donna Wyatt, BCHIP Dental Program Coordinator, “This is the second year that BCHIP has partnered with St. Luke's to see and treat children in the Dental Van. BCHIP has expanded its Sealant Saturday program from three treatment sites last year to seven sites this year.”
A tooth sealant is a thin, plastic material that when applied to the biting surface of a permanent molar acts as a physical barrier to prevent oral bacteria from collecting on the tooth's surface. Tooth bacteria create an acidic environment that allows cavities to develop. Sealing off the surface eliminates this condition.
Sealants are a good investment for a child's oral health and will help prevent tooth decay during cavity-prone years. Applying sealants is a simple, painless procedure that is inexpensive compared to the conventional methods of filling a cavity.
How You Can Help Promote Children's Dental Health
During the month of February, St. Luke's facilities will have collection bins for newly packaged toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to be given to the children who are seen in the Dental Van. Collection sites are set up at the gift shops at St. Luke's Hospitals in the Bethlehem, Allentown and Quakertown. Feel free to drop off your newly packaged items when visiting the hospital or passing through the area.
You can also send your donations directly to the Dental Clinic at St. Luke's Union Station, 240 Union Station Plaza, Bethlehem, PA 18015. For more information call Maribel Seda, St. Luke's Dental Program Administrator, at 610-954-2465.
For more information about BCHIP, Children's Dental services, no cost basic dental care for uninsured children of Bucks County, please call Donna Wyatt, BCHIP Dental Program Coordinator, at 1-800-347-6803.
We appreciate your help in bringing happy, healthy smiles to the children of our community.
