Local Dentists Filling Void With Free Screening Program
Posted
Dan Spalding-dspalding@timesuniononline.com
Even at an early age, children’s teeth can begin to decay, start to move and face a lot of abuse. And some just fall through the cracks. But dentists and school officials in Warsaw have sunken their collective teeth into a free dental screening service over the past 10 years that is showing results. The idea of a dental screening program started in 2007 after Dr. Lena Fermback and other dentists, as well as school officials, began to notice more students were showing up with significant decay to their new permanent molars. Such damage at a young age represents a crucial turning point, Fermback said. For some students, problems begin to arise soon after permanent molars surface. “The loss of your first molars have large implications for a lifetime,” Fermback said. “You don’t chew well and your teeth are going to drift.” With that in mind, officials first targeted third-grade students. The program was launched after Fermback and others met with members of the Kosciusko County Dental Society to see if a coordinated effort could be made. In its first few years, the program was a tedious undertaking in which all third-graders in Warsaw public schools were bused to one location where about 10 dentists and their staff assessed their dental conditions. These days, it’s become a well-oiled machine in which dentists and staff now fan out to nearly a dozen schools and work with school nurses to perform free screenings to children in kindergarten through third grade. Tracey Akers, Warsaw Community School Corporation’s nurse coordinator, thinks the program is “fabulous” and said the level of coordination between dentists and schools is fairly unique. “I feel like it helps. We know oral care is just as important with a child with learning as any other type of nutrition or physical health,” Akers said. The screenings are done in January and February and are accompanied with tips on dental hygiene. Results of the screenings are then conveyed to parents. Good reports go home with the students, but school nurses contact parents directly when screenings identify moderate or severe problems. Nurses then work with parents to make appointments and determine whether families can afford the work. Seven years ago, the program got a boost when the Medical and Dental Assistance program was established through the K21 Health Foundation to help cover some of the costs if the families can’t afford it. Three years ago, the screening program expanded to include students as young as kindergarteners. Parents can opt out if they choose, but the overall number of students being screen jumped significantly. This year, 17 dentists participated in the screenings. In 2016, about 1,000 students from all of the public elementaries, Gateway Education Center, plus Warsaw Christian and Sacred Heart were screened. Of those, 50 students were identified with serious dental problems. Figures rose this year when 1,100 students were screened. About 195 were identified with moderate problems and 72 had serious issues, according to Akers. In 2016, about 10 families received vouchers through the Medical Dental Assistance program to help offset the cost, according to Angie Summers, the director of the service. Those vouchers help, but don’t cover all the costs. In many of the hardship cases, dentists step up and provide the work for free. “The dentists actually do a lot of pro bono work for us, which is great because they know the students really need the help and they know it’s only going to happen if they are willing to do that,” Akers said. To a certain degree, some of the dentists have adopted certain schools, which helps build continuity and familiarity between the staff and students. Many of the dentists are going above and beyond what is typically expected. “I’ve had principals bringing children to my office for care,” Fermback said. “Everybody is concerned about the dental health of the community. Everybody is wanting to volunteer time in one way or another,” she said. She said she’s especially pleased with the coordination between the schools, the nurses and the medication and Dental Assistance staff “all working together in an environment where things can happen more efficiently.” In addition to providing needed dental services, Fermback said the goal has been to the educate the kids and also build a relationship with families in hopes that they find a “dental home” for them. Akers describes Fermback as the backbone of the program and credits her and her staff – including dental hygienist Leslie Hart and office manager Andrea Slabaugh – for their ability to help coordinate aspects of the program. Fermback, meanwhile, deflects that aspect like a strong enamel. “I take no credit,” Fermback said. “I feel blessed to be part of all this.” Despite their best efforts, not everyone identified as needing help is getting it. Part of that involves parents and a myriad of other issues, like insurance, transportation and work schedules. “You can’t save all children, but if you can save a few molars throughout the years and you have changed some children’s lives, then it’s worthwhile,” Fermback said.
