New program takes bite out of kids’ tooth decay

It’s an uphill battle against children’s tooth decay.

And so far, cavities are winning.

“The oral health indicator nationwide, is actually on a downturn,” Kemple Memorial Dental Clinic Executive Director Suzanne Browning said Tuesday.

Oregon health reports show some improvement to oral health during the last few years. But the state’s Smile Survey still shows more than 30,000 children in Oregon between the ages of 6 and 9 have already had a cavity.

Browning said the numbers aren’t any better on the High Desert.

“Fifty percent of the children we screen need sealants,” Browning said.

Kemple began a new school dental screening program in September, hoping to root out the problem.

“We’re trying to catch those kiddos and help prevent decay as soon as the teeth come in,” said Operations Manager Debbie Smith.

Browning said the clinic will perform about 5,000 screenings before June, most in Bend, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine.

The strategy is to give at risk-kids extra protection: sealants on their molars.

“It’s a little shell that’s going to protect that back tooth,” Smith said. “It’s good for children who aren’t getting to the dentist as often as they should.”

The clinic serves many that you would expect: those without insurance — kids living in poverty.

“We do have children that we see that have told us they’ve never had their own toothbrush,” Browning said.

But Browning also said the problem isn’t necessarily rooted in income: Decay doesn’t discriminate.

“There’s lots of parents who are middle class, have really good education and have children, and don’t take their kids to the dentist often,” she said. “They don’t have the time, nor do they think it’s an issue unless there’s a problem.”

By going to schools, Browning said the clinic is taking a proactive approach to spread a new message about oral health.

“It’s all about brushing the teeth — it’s all about prevention,” Browning said. ” It’s all about parents following through.”

Browning said the Kemple Memorial Children’s Dental Clinic will provide more than $650,000 in services to needy children this year.

The nonprofit will host its ‘Brighter Smiles Campaign’ that begins in May. Participating dental clinics will offer teeth-whitening services at 50 percent off.

All proceeds will go to the Kemple Dental Clinic.

For more information, you can visit www.kempleclinic.com