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Family First Health

A community health care center

Let’s talk facts about children’s dental health

20160204_090429We’ve shown you our numbers — that out of 1,887 York County kids, our Kids Against Cavities staff found 2,351 cavities in 2015.

In our second Pre-K Counts visit of 2016, we screened 27 kids and found 87 cavities. In an hour and a half last week, we screened 93 kids at VIDA Charter School in Gettysburg.

We hope these numbers shock you. And then we ask you to help. With just the donation of $25, you can get 10 kids toothbrushes and toothpaste. 10 kids. Last week, I saw more than 10 kids who straight up told me they did not brush their teeth. Many said they didn’t have time. Maybe they just forget. One third grader told me her sister threw her toothbrush out and her parents hadn’t bought a new one.

They wouldn’t buy her a new toothbrush — something you could get at the dollar store. It’s something that just blows my mind because brushing my teeth twice a day is something my parents have always taught me. Many of the people I’ve talked to about our Kids Against Cavities program agree and are just as flabbergasted. And yet, grateful that it’s something we just grew up doing. We were taught it was important. [Read more…] about Let’s talk facts about children’s dental health

Kids Against Cavities takes oral health to Adams County

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Today, our Kids Against Cavities went somewhere it’s never been before — Adams County!

Our staff visited kids at VIDA Charter School to provide mandated school screenings. Also, the school decided to bring us kids who, according to their paperwork, did not have a dental home or hadn’t visited the dentist in more than 6 months.

Some even admitted that they’d NEVER been to a dentist. And we’re talking about kids up to 6th grade. We are working to change that.

20160204_084705The goal? To check on the status of their teeth AND encourage follow-ups and routine care. Papers go home with the kids whose parents can indicate they already have a dentist or ask for help in getting their kid into a dental home — maybe the Family First Health Gettysburg office perhaps!?

Our dental directors Joe and LaJuan Mountain and our new dentist Maria Fletcher saw 93 kids in only an hour and a half Thursday. That’s a lot of teeth.

Many of these kids told us they did not brush twice a day … and for many reasons. Some said they just forgot. Others said they were rushed to the car in the morning and told not to waste time doing so. Another told me that her sister threw out her toothbrush and her parents didn’t buy her a new one.

During the school screenings, our staff count teeth, check for sealants and cavities, check the overall hygiene and of course, note a need for follow ups and urgent care.

During the month of February, we’re raising money to help Kids Against Cavities reach more children. It is Children’s Dental Health Month of course.

In 23 visits to York, Pa., schools and child-care programs, Family First Health’s Kids Against Cavities program treated 1,887 kids. Dental staff identified a total of 2,351 cavities. So we want to raise $1 per cavity found.

Through these photos of our work at VIDA, you can really get your mind around EXACTLY WHERE your donations are going. It’s as simple as this:

$25 – Gets toothbrushes and toothpaste into the hands of 10 children.

$50 – Covers the cost of a dental cleaning for one child.

$75 – Covers the cost of a comprehensive oral exam for one child.

$100 – Covers a panoramic X-ray of a child’s mouth.

The work this staff does taking dental care into our schools is amazing and empowering. The help of our community enables us to keep doing this work.

Click here to donate. Community donations go directly into Kids Against Cavities to provide more screenings and cleanings.

York’s dental staff sponsors family’s Christmas

It all started with a man coming in for his dental checkup with his 2-year-old grandson, Jaxyn, in tow. A photo circulated around the George Street dental staff.

A grandfather unable to walk well, still willing to get on the floor to talk teeth and play with his grandson.
A grandfather unable to walk well, still willing to get on the floor to talk teeth and play with his grandson.

Gary and Marty are raising their three grandchildren — Gracey, age 10; Carly, age 7, and 2-year-old Jaxyn. They didn’t have enough money to do Christmas this year. So that’s where dental stepped in.

Today, the family stopped by for a surprise. And boy, were they surprised. The gifts just kept on coming for all three kids, and of course — Grandma and Grandpa. The staff also got Jaxyn a new bed and mattress, which he immediately started jumping on.

20151221_123713“We haven’t had a Christmas in years,” Gary said, opening his gifts of pj pants, new shoes and more. “It’s all about the kids.”

Marty spent most of her time bouncing from grandkid to grandkid as they showed off their new dolls, nail polish, clothes and more. Each time, the girls looked up with amazement after gifts were revealed.

Our CEO couldn’t make it down, but dental staffer Rolando Nieves presented the family with a Weis gift card, which Marty says they’ll use for a turkey.

Every few seconds it seemed, Marty was thanking the staff, wiping away tears and exclaiming she couldn’t believe all they had done.

But that wasn’t all.

One of our staffer’s mother is the pastor at St. Peter Lischey’s church in Spring Grove. For all of Advent, the congregation has been collection donations for the family. Pastor Kathy presented the family $900 toward their Family First Health dental bills.

Taking slow, deliberate steps with his cane in hand, Gary made his way over to give out hugs of thanks. Marty turned to him in awe, saying maybe he can get his teeth fixed to.

Marty kept trying to clean as she went, with staffers taking trash bags and wrapping paper from her hands. She even offered to come clean our offices in thanks.

Instead, she joked the kids will give thanks by spending more time caring for their teeth.

And the staff, from the looks on their faces and tears wiped away, they had all the thanks they needed.

“Santa Claus is real,” Gary said. “I believe it now.”

Before break was over, staffers helped load up the car full of three boxes full of toys. It was likely a Christmas their family and ours will never forget.

Watch a video with photos of the whole thing below.