News>Dental Squadron hosts "Little Teeth- Big Smiles" Clinic
Photos
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- (right to left) Maj. Stacy Zaikoski, 374th Dental Squadron pediatric dentist, gives a briefing to Capt. Matthew Deardorff, 36th Airlift Squadron, and his daughter Carsyn, 18 months old, at the Yokota Dental Clinic, Feb. 2, 2013, during the Little Teeth-Big Smiles event. Zaikoski said that the earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman Jared Johnson, 374th Dental Squadron dental technician, gives a thumbs-up to May Peterson, Yokota West Elementary School 2nd grader, following her teeth cleaning at Yokota Dental Clinic, Feb. 2, 2013. As part of National Children's Dental Health Month, the 374 DS hosted walk-in clinic for children, including dental examinations, cleanings and education services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Kathrina Carrasco, 374th Dental Squadron dentist, administers a dental examine to Eli Francis, John K. Mendel Elementary School 3rd grader, at the Yokota Dental Clinic, Feb. 2, 2013. During the event, children received examinations, cleanings, x-rays and educational services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Tanika Davis, 374th Dental Squadron registered dental hygienist, cleans a child's teeth at the Yokota Dental Clinic, Feb. 2, 2013. As part of National Children's Dental Health Month, the 374 DS hosted a walk-in clinic for children, including dental examinations, cleanings and education services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Deneka Davis, 374th Dental Squadron dental technician, demonstrates how to brush teeth at Yokota Dental Clinic, Feb. 2, 2013. As part of National Children's Dental Health Month, the 374 DS hosted walk-in clinic for children, including dental examinations, cleanings and education services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Yokota Dental Clinic members pose while showing off educational visual aids at the Yokota dental clinic, Feb. 2, 2013. As part of National Children's Dental Health Month, the 374th Dental Squadron hosted a walk-in clinic for children, including dental examinations, cleanings and education services to promote good oral health among the Yokota's youngest population. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)
by Osakabe Yasuo
374th Airlift Wing public affairs
2/7/2013 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The month of February marks National Children's Dental Health Month across the U.S., and Airmen at Yokota Air Base, Japan, honored the occasion with Little Teeth and Big Smiles.
Members from the Yokota Dental Clinic invited children, up to 10 years old, to attend a walk-in dental clinic, Feb. 2, 2013, which offered dental examinations, teeth cleanings and educational materials teaching children the fundamentals of oral hygiene through visual aids.
"This marked the first time for this event to take place at Yokota," said Staff Sgt. Amanda Colavolpe, a 374th Dental Squadron dental technician. "We were able to provide preventive services for 80 children in the Yokota community and their parents seemed so responsive and appreciative of the services they received."
The 374 DS focused on preventive oral health care for children.
"Dental caries (cavities) is the most chronic infectious disease affecting young children," said Capt. Kathrina Carrasco, a 374 DS dentist. "It is important for children to see a dentist regularly, with their first dental examination around their first birthday."
To assist parents with caring for their children's teeth yearlong, Carrasco gave participants a few tips:
1. Healthy diet, along with a daily brushing and flossing routine, are vital in preventing dental cavities. Limit the intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks, such as soda and juice.
2. Proper oral hygiene begins even before the first tooth erupts, by gently wiping the gums after feedings. Once the baby teeth erupt, parents can start using a toothbrush to clean the teeth. When all the baby teeth have erupted it is recommended that parents help their children brush for two minutes, twice per day. Daily flossing is also recommended to help keep the areas in between the teeth clean.
By participating in dental health month, parents and children are educated on good oral health habits. Proper brushing, flossing, diet and regular dental check-ups will help children retain healthy teeth and attractive smiles for many years.
"It was our goal to provide a valuable community service targeting education and prevention of dental disease while providing the Yokota military community an ancillary avenue to seek dental care," Colavolpe said. "We believe this goal was achieved.
"It was a very productive and rewarding experience for all," she added.
Comments
2/14/2013 12:11:49 AM ET Thank you Dr. Carrasco for doing a great job taking care of my daughter.
Olivas, YAB
2/13/2013 11:59:44 PM ET Thank you Dental Squadron for taking the time to this for the kids. It is very much appreciated
O, Yokota
2/11/2013 6:41:32 PM ET This event was great I took my 2yr old son and the staff was generous and helpful. I really hope Yokota's Dental Clinic will continue to host a yearly walk-in clinic. Thank you again to the Dental ClinicStacy Hodges
