The Foundation for Children’s Dental Health would like to thank our local businesses and the City of Santa Clarita for supporting us since 1993. We are, “Changing Santa Clarita one smile at a time,” because of the support we have received. As we get ready for more growth, we ask that you too support us by making a donation, volunteering, or attending our fundraisers. Our next fundraiser, a “Masquerade Ball” will be February 9 at the Valencia Country Club. For more information, visit www.fcdh.org or call Ericka Watson.
Our next Children’s Mobile Dental Clinic is set for March 16 through 23, in Canyon Country. To volunteer or for more information, please call Ericka Watson at 661-296-8515.
Most children can visit a dentist on a regular basis; most children have their own toothbrush and brush their teeth daily. Most of us are very fortunate to have the means to provide this for our children. But there are many local children who are not as blessed. From October 13 to 20, 2006 the Foundation for Children’s Dental Health held our 12th Children’s Mobile Dental Clinic at Centro De Amor Cristiano Church in Newhall. During this week- long clinic, 101 children from the Santa Clarita Valley who were previously identified as needing urgent or moderately urgent care received free dental treatment via the USC School of Dentistry Mobile Dental Clinic. Ericka Watson, Executive Director for the foundation, goes out to local schools that have the highest percentage of children participating in the free/reduced lunch program, to conduct free dental screenings. Dr. Go, Dr. Villar, Dr. Villate-Mendoza, Dr. Liberman and Dr. Mindel are a few of the local dentists who assist our organization with the dental screenings, “Our goal is to identify children who are in urgent need of treatment and who do not have the resources to obtain it.” Many of the children that were treated at the clinic had never visited a dentist before, many had not had dental care for more than three years and many were terrified of sitting in a dental chair. Nonetheless, clinic director Dr. Marjorie Domingo and her staff of dentists do everything they can to make each child feel at ease. Over $133,000 worth of dental treatment were given to these children. Depending on each child’s need, treatments included prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants, fillings, crown, extractions and pulpotomies. Parents and children also received education on the importance of good oral hygiene. Toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss along with a book were given to each child who completed their treatment.
In a study conducted by The Dental Health Foundation it was found that 750,000 children statewide are in need of dental care. In 2000 the Surgeon General’s report describes oral health in the United States as a “silent epidemic of dental and oral diseases.” We at the Foundation know that this epidemic is in Santa Clarita and have made a commitment to do something about it. Our program is made up of four components; free dental screenings (early detection), oral hygiene education at elementary schools (prevention), annual free dental clinic (intervention) and emergency dental services. Our goal for 2007 is to expand our services to include a Fluoride Treatment Program for Preschoolers and more education to parents.
For more information, please call Ericka Watson at 661-296-8515.