Dental resident Christina Ramirez, D.D.S., visits with Ivon Luna about her teeth at the Head Start Center.
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More than 300 preschoolers in the Head Start program received free dental exams Sept. 21 as part of Save Our Smiles (S.O.S.) Day. Pediatric dental residents and dental hygiene students from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and other local dental professionals provided the care at the Jose Cardenas Head Start Center, 3300 Ruiz Street.

“The children were precious and most were excited to open their mouths and show us their teeth,” said Christina Ramirez, D.D.S., a pediatric dental resident and 2007 graduate of the UT Health Science Center’s Dental School. “What was funny is that, as the class formed into a line to walk back to class, they waved goodbye to us with their mouths wide open,” she said.

Dental hygiene student Lisa Wong looks a child’s teeth at the Jose Cardenas Head Start Center.

S.O.S. part of long-term statewide oral health initiative
Save Our Smiles (S.O.S.) Day was actually the initiation of a long-planned oral health project to provide regular dental care to 1,000 preschoolers enrolled in Head Start programs across the state, said Kathy Geurink, M.A., clinical associate professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene, who coordinated the Health Science Center’s participation in the project.

“This was a very successful start to the project,” Geurink said. “We had two pediatric dental residents, five dental hygiene faculty members, 10 senior dental hygiene students and Dr. Adriana Segura from the Dental School on hand to help with the exams.” Approximately 15 other dental professionals from the community also provided services.

Diagnostic and preventive services
“Our intent for S.O.S. Day was to introduce the children to going to the dentist, provide an initial exam to assess their oral health and offer preventive care by providing fluoride varnish treatments,” Geurink explained. “Our students, supervised by our faculty members, worked together to find any dental problems that require follow-up care.” The Head Start children are being referred for treatment to dental clinics including San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) clinics as well as pediatric dental offices.

Long-term goal: Establishing a ‘dental home’
As part of the S.O.S. Day, oral health education sessions were held with Head Start parents and staff with the overall objective of establishing a “dental home.” “A dental home is what we in the profession call a continuing relationship with a dental clinic, community health center or private dental office.” Geurink explained. “Through this project, we have established a network of community partners who are working together to provide continuing dental care for the Head Start children.” S.O.S. is planned to be an annual event and expanded throughout Head Start centers in Texas.


Partnerships will be key to program’s success
Coordinated statewide by the Head Start State Collaborative Office, each of the four communities ― including Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas and San Antonio ― held S.O.S. Day and established its own plan to provide follow-up care. The S.O.S. partners including the Region VI Administration for Children and Families Head Start Office, the Department of State Health Services’ Oral Health Division, SAMHD, Texas Dental Association, Texas Dental Hygiene Association, as well as private practice dentists and dental hygienists plan to expand the S.O.S. Project to rural areas in 2008.


Students, residents benefit from educational opportunity
Health Science Center students and residents also are gaining from the experience. “From the Health Science Center’s perspective,” added Dr. Segura, “this is a great opportunity for our students to have a concentrated learning opportunity. Plus, it gives them the chance to provide service to this medically underserved part of the community.”

Dental hygiene student Rebekah Salas said, “These kids have taught me that just spending a few extra moments talking to them, getting to know them, can open them up to be receptive to what we have to offer. It’s not just an assembly line to get them in and get them out. These children need to be educated about what is happening in their mouths and what could happen if they don’t learn to take care of them properly. The one-on-one attention that they receive is crucial. Even if they came in crying, if you can make them smile and give you a high-five after receiving treatment, then that is a successful visit ― and that is satisfaction!”

“This is a very exciting initiative,” Geurink added. “I’ve been at the Health Science Center for 23 years and this is the first time we as a community have been able to come together to do something like this. It feels great to be part of something that can actually make a difference.”