It's National Children's Dental Health Month and hundreds of children in the capital city are scheduled to receive free oral health exams this week at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Dentistry. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports.
A group of elementary children are practicing their numbers while they wait to get their teeth cleaned at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Dentistry. Untreated tooth decay is twice as likely for children from low-income families, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During Dental Mission Week at UMMC, students learn how to take care of their teeth. The school also provides free dental check-ups to students and adults who do not have access to private dental care.
Demetrick Collins is a teacher at Johnson Elementary in Jackson. She's been bringing her first graders over the past few years.
"Sometimes we have little teeth factors, my teeth is hurting or loose students say. When we get to come, it's a great thing because some scholars don't always get to come to the dentist. We look forward to it every year," said Collins
Dental Student Andrew Sinclair talks about some of the common findings.
"First thing we see with kids is general decay and a lack of knowledge or care. We try to educate them a little bit. We teach them to brush their teeth twice a day morning and night and get them comfortable enough with the dentist that they'll go and get on a good track to have a healthy mouth the rest of their life," said Sinclair.
The school is accepting walk-ins today until noon. Ashley Norwood, MPB News.
