The Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic is proud to announce a newly renovated childrens and adolescent treatment area.

7/6/2005

Contact: Tammy G. Love

Director of Marketing & Medical Staff Development

Phone: (336) 651-8116

The Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic is proud to announce a newly renovated children’s and adolescent treatment area. Last year the Wilkes Dental Consortium expanded the clinic in order to serve children more effectively and to continue to better serve adults.

The Children’s Clinic serves children from 6 months to age 18. About 25% of the children treated are under age 5. The staff focuses on preventive procedures and education. "We try to help the children prevent having cavities," says Ms. Billings. We like to see children between age 1 to age 2 so we can work with the parents to provide education on what the children’s needs are as their baby teeth come in. General dentistry procedures provided at the clinic include sealants, fillings, extractions, and pulp (nerve) treatment. From time to time, our dentists also have to treat loose teeth from falls and injuries.

The clinic is very colorful and has a different theme in every room including animals, butterflies, cars, and the beach. There is a playhouse in the waiting area. "The children just love it," comments Ms. Billings. We also reward the children for not having cavities at their check-up by putting their picture on a "Caught With No Cavities" board. Their name goes into a drawing for a T-shirt at the end of each month.

The clinic hopes that we will be able to serve the entire family in one facility. Research has shown that if the mother has good oral hygiene and has received treatment for decayed teeth, the children are more likely to have fewer cavities and better dental health. Parents that are trying to take better care of their teeth help influence their children to brush and floss as well.

"The Wilkes County Health Department is proud to be associated with the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic. Our clinic is a shining star across the state for the quality of care, service to our under-served population and housed in a beautiful facility." Says Beth Lovette, Health Director

Paul Hugger, Director of the Wilkes Community Health Council of Wilkes Regional Medical Center says the hospital considers the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic a part of the hospital’s care for the community. While the hospital makes no direct financial contribution to the clinic, several hospital staff members serve on the board of the Wilkes Dental Consortium, and the hospital has been proud to be a key player from the very beginning of the clinic’s formation. The staff in the Emergency Department works in close cooperation with the staff of the dental clinic.

A debt of gratitude is owed to The Duke Endowment, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and to The Health Foundation, Inc. for their support in raising funds for the expansion of the clinic. The Health Foundation continues to receive donations on behalf of the clinic in the, "Going the Extra Smile" campaign. Paul Hugger, board member says, "Every dollar donated locally through the Health Foundation is a dollar less than we have to borrow, with interest, and a dollar that can be used directly to subsidize the cost of care for patients who do not have health insurance and who have very limited funds to pay." Donations can be arranged by calling the Health Foundation, locally, at 838-1949.

For more information about the dental clinic, or for an appointment, for children call 903-9399, for adults call 903-7300.