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HOME > ABOUT > PRESS > VISITING THE DENTIST IS TOUGH, NO MATTER THE AGE
Article published - May 17, 2009
Credit: DAILY DEMOCRAT
Visiting the dentist is tough, no matter the age
By Jim Smith
Adults who have trouble going to the dentist have nothing on some children who won't even open their mouths for what is often a painless exam -- except to scream.
While parents like Danielle Mannix, fuss, soothe and placate, dentist Ghoddusi-Farideh Tabarsi waits for the right moment to move in, perform a quick checkup, swab on fluoride sealant, and move aside.
The procedure usually takes only a few minutes in most cases, is painless, and will keep the child's teeth safe from decay.
But in several instances Saturday, the youngsters, some as young as 1-year-old, absolutely refused to sit in a chair for examination. They had to be held by their parents, while Tabarsi conducted her exam and then swabbed on a fluoride varnish which will offer protection against enamel-eating foods.
The sealants can prevent more than 80 percent of dental decay in children and reduce the need for fillings.
Mannix, a Davis resident, thought the visit would be routine for her kids. Three-year-old daughter Brynn had been treated previously, and knew the routine.
Brynn urged her younger sister, Mia, 2, to go first, which she did.
Mia cried and was resistant, but made it through the procedure with only a few tears.
Brynn, however, had something else in mind. She refused to sit in the dental chair, couldn't be coaxed into cooperating by mom, dad, or Tabarsi, and eventually had to be restrained by a somewhat exasperated Danielle as Tabarsi maneuvered to get a look at Brynn's teeth.
Mia watched quietly held in dad's protective arms.
Danielle was puzzled by Brynn's behavior, and apologized for her daughter's sudden fit of tears and caterwauling.
Tabarsi, meanwhile, moved aside, and started getting ready for her next patient.
Part of the Yolo County Smile Saver Program, Saturday's free dental screening and fluoride varnish, was held at CommuniCare Health Centers, Peterson Clinic, in Woodland. It was sponsored by the Yolo County Children's Health Initiative and First 5 Yolo, along with CommuniCare.
Around 40 children, none older than 5, were examined by Tabarsi and others for tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Song Xiong, who works as a consultant for the Smile Saver Program, and was helping out Saturday, explained that for some children it was their very first visit to a dentist.
Some of those examinations will reveal tooth decay or more serious problems. Those children with significant dental disease will be referred on for more extensive treatment.
The importance of early dental care and fluoride use to prevent and arrest tooth decay is usually emphasized at the dental screenings, which serves primarily low-income patients who lack either the education or the means to practice good oral hygiene such as regular brushing, flossing and laying off the sweets like candy and sugary drinks.
Tooth decay is the single most prevalent childhood disease, according to health care professionals. Yet, about one-third of the state's preschool children have untreated tooth decay and almost two-thirds of those kids will have dental decay by the time they reach third grade.
If left untreated, the tooth decay can cause not just pain and infection but can also lead to problems with nutrition, growth, school readiness and speech.
Parents participating in the program seemed to know this, offering encouragement -- and even treats -- to their children if they would only cooperate.
But for some kids -- as well as moms and dads -- the best part of the visit was the ride home.
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