Youngsters Learn About Dental Health

As part of Children’s Dental Health Month in February, Dental Associates’ clinics in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee and Franklin taught 2,981 youngsters how to care for their teeth. In dental terms, that’s a total of 59,620 very important baby and permanent teeth.

Dentists and dental assistants visited elementary schools throughout the area to teach children the importance of dental health and show them how to properly take care of their teeth. As part of the visits, each child received a dental kit that included a new toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and dental care information.

Educating children early and often is vital since the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reports that more than 50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay before age five. In addition, a study from the Office of the Surgeon General notes that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related conditions.

“It was exciting to tally the numbers because through our 10 clinics this February we reached 11,000 children – more than ever before,” says Thomas Manos, D.D.S, M.S., president of Dental Associates. “We’re committed to helping our communities in every way we can and we enjoy working closely with little ones.”

During the classroom talks and presentations, dental assistants from Dental Associates showed children the keys to oral health – brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing and seeing a dentist for regular checkups. They also addressed the importance of a healthy diet and encouraged youngsters to avoid sugary snacks and sweet drinks like juice and soda since those products simply coat teeth with sugar. The students learned that fruits, vegetables, water and milk are the best choices.

“Despite what some people think, baby teeth are very important for children. They help children speak clearly, chew naturally and provide a path for permanent teeth to follow,” says Dr. James Blong, regional clinic director for Dental Associates. “They also create a beautiful smile that helps children feel confident.”

All together through its 10 locations in Wisconsin, the company visited 111 schools, totaling 11,130 youngsters or 222,600 teeth. Dental Associates also provided $28,500 in dental services to 138 children who didn’t have access to care.

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Founded in 1973, Dental Associates is Wisconsin’s largest family-owned dental group practice with 10 offices throughout the state and more than 700 staff members, including more than 100 doctors. Dental Associates provides complete family dental services, both general and specialty dentistry, under one roof – from pediatric dentistry to specialized dental services for older adults – with a focus on excellent care that is affordable, accessible and personalized. Dental Associates is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Through the company's CarePlus Dental Plans, Dental Associates provides affordable and high-quality dental health care to all Wisconsin residents. For more information regarding Dental Associates, visit www.dentalassociates.com.