SMILE BUILDERS

 Last year, through the collaboration of members of the Waterbury Oral Health Collaborative, a dental hygienist and assistant from StayWell Health Center visited 4 pre-schools: Rainbow Academy, YMCA, Muriel Moore Child Development Center and Children’s Community School along with 9 elementary schools: Walsh, Washington, Tinker, Barnard, Driggs, Children’s Community School, Bunker Hill, Brooklyn, and Wendell Cross providing eligible children with a examination and cleaning on-site at the schools.

   During the pilot phase, 20 schools (elementary and pre-school sites) responded to the initial introduction. The mobile dental program visited 14 of those schools and 585 students received services. Upon completion of the school year, the mobile dental program was revamped and renamed “Smile Builders”. Under the Smile Builder’s banner, 6 month recall visits will be scheduled at the elementary schools and preschools which participated last year and new schools will be added to the schedule.

    Through the Smile Builders program, a hygienist will perform professional dental services on eligible children during regular school hours, on-site at the school. Dental services will include cleanings, screenings, and fluoride treatments. If follow-up dental care is needed, the Dental Coordinator will contact the family to schedule appointments with local dental providers.

Smile Builders have already scheduled the following elementary schools and preschools: Children’s Community School, Driggs, Walsh, Brooklyn, Washington, Rainbow Academy I & II, YMCA, Muriel Moore Child Development Center, and Slocum Child Development Center.

   If you are interested in registering your elementary school or preschool site in the Smile Builders program, please call (203) 756-8021, extension 3055.

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