Children learn about dental health with 673d Dental Squadron

by Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright
JBER Public Affairs

2/20/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- For many children, dental health awareness begins at a young age with the help of the Tooth Fairy. A child leaves a recently lost tooth under their pillow; the Tooth Fairy takes it during the night and replaces it with a reward.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and the 673d Dental Squadron at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital is encouraging parents to emphasize dental hygiene.

"The goal of this yearly campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of oral health," said Air Force Capt. Courtney Burrill, 673d DS general dentist.

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities have increased for toddlers and preschoolers in recent years. An estimated five percent of children under the age of six, roughly 300,000 U.S. children, experience tooth decay. Another 15 percent, roughly 1.5 million children, experience tooth decay.

Burrill, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., emphasized dental hygiene as critical to long-term dental health.

"Getting children excited about their teeth, the dentist and their overall health is so important," Burrill said. "Establishing good habits at a young age helps kids get the right start to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums."

Burrill pointed to assumptions many parents make that can result in neglect of proper dental hygiene in children.

"Many adults assume baby teeth don't really matter because they are going to fall out anyway," Burrill said. "This couldn't be further from the truth. Unhealthy habits and tooth decay during childhood will lead to an unhealthy oral environment for permanent teeth."
The dentist offered advice on how to avoid the common "dreaded dental visit" mentality many children form at a young age.

"Bringing children to the dentist for only minimal care or on an emergency basis can end up being quite traumatic," Burrill said. "With this infrequent type of dental care, children learn to only associate the dentist with pain or unpleasant experiences. Familiarizing children with a dentist from a young age, and on a routine basis, allows children to establish a positive relationship with the dentist."

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental visits by the first year of a child's life.

The 673d DS is working to create a positive outlook on dental experiences for children; dental personnel recently visited the child development centers on JBER dressed as a large toothbrush and a tooth fairy, and taught dental hygiene lessons.

"Our goal with dressing up is to simply have fun and let the children associate dental health with a positive experience," Burrill said. "Learning about their teeth from a giant toothbrush will likely be more memorable than a boring dentist lecturing them about their oral health."

The 673d DS doesn't see dependent patients, but plays an active role in the dental hygiene education of parents and children.

Squadron personnel encourage parents to take a close look at their children's
dental health and to ensure a proper dental care plan is established through their civilian provider.