By Staff Sgt. Christine Groening, 49th Wing Public Affairs / Published February 28, 2020
Senior Airman Bria Lipkins, 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron dental technician, allows a child to test his brushing techniques on a stuffed animal, Feb 11, 2020, on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The dental flight visits children across base annually, as part of Children’s Dental Health Month, to educate them and their caregivers on the importance of dental hygiene. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
A child from the Holloman Child Development Center tests her brushing techniques on a stuffed animal, Feb. 11, 2020, on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron dental flight visits the CDC and both Holloman Elementary and Middle Schools to educate them on the importance of dental health.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
Senior Airman Juanita Black, left, and Senior Airman Brian Lipkins, both 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron dental technicians, demonstrate to children proper brushing techniques, Feb. 11, 2020, at the Holloman Child Development Center on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The dental flight visits children across base annually, as part of Children’s Dental Health Month, to educate them and their caregivers on the importance of dental hygiene. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
Senior Airman Juanita Black, 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron Dental Flight technician, explains the amount of sugar found in sugary drinks, Feb. 26, 2020, at Holloman Middle School on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. On an annual-basis, the dental flight visits the Holloman Child Development Center, Holloman Elementary School and Holloman Middle School, providing them with knowledge on proper brushing techniques and the negative effects of not brushing teeth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
A middle school student from Holloman Middle School shows his brushing techniques on a fake set of teeth, Feb. 26, 2020, at Holloman Middle School on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. On an annual-basis, the dental flight ensures to visit the Holloman Child Development Center, Holloman Elementary School and Holloman Milddle School, providing them with knowledge on proper brushing techniques and the negative effects of not brushing teeth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
Staff Sgt. Desmond Gray, 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron Dental Flight technician, watches as a Holloman Middle School student demonstrates his brushing technique on a fake set of teeth, Feb. 26, 2020, on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Between dental visits it’s recommended to check for tooth sensitivity, pain when eating or drinking, bleeding gums, holes or pits in teeth, discoloration or bad breath. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
A student looks in the mirror for tooth plaque during a visit from the 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron Dental Flight, Feb. 26, 2020, at Holloman Middle School on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Between dental visits it’s recommended to check for tooth sensitivity, pain when eating or drinking, bleeding gums, holes or pits in teeth, discoloration or bad breath. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening)
During the month of February, the 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron Dental Flight visited kids across base to educate the importance of dental health as part of Children’s Dental Health Month.
On an annual-basis the dental flight visits the Holloman Child Development Center, Holloman Elementary School and Holloman Milddle School, providing them with knowledge on proper brushing techniques and the negative effects of not brushing teeth. “Some of the most common issues we see in our clinic are children coming in with dental caries, also known as cavities or tooth decay,” said Capt. Addison Walker, 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron Dental Flight dentist. “If left untreated, tooth decay can cause infections which could potentially enter the bloodstream and lead to other serious health problems.” Here are some tips to prevent dental decay in children:
“We showed the students the proper brushing and flossing techniques and utilized dye to stain the plaque,” said Staff Sgt. Desmond Gray, 49th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron Dental Flight technician. “I think our team made an impact for students by being able to give them factual advice, proper nutritional diets, and brushing and flossing techniques that will aid in eliminating caries (cavity) formations. Every year, the dental clinic looks forward to getting the chance to speak, educate, and interact with the students.”
Between dental visits it’s recommended to check for tooth sensitivity, pain when eating or drinking, bleeding gums, holes or pits in teeth, discoloration or bad breath. “If parents don’t brush their children’s teeth on a regular basis, losing baby teeth prematurely due to decay or cavities can impact the space for permanent teeth to erupt,” said Walker. “If good oral hygiene is not developed early and implemented on baby teeth, then its very likely that as children get older they will continue to have poor hygiene, which will ultimately affect their adult teeth.”
For more information on children’s dental health contact the Holloman Dental Clinic at 572-3742.