First Day of Clinic - Dental

We had a successful day of dental cleaning and fluoride treatments - 44 children were treated.  She commented that all the children we saw today had excellent teeth.  They are really brushing well, and very few patients had cavities.  We recorded the names of the patients with cavities for further treatment in town. 


Carol brushed their teeth and painted on a fluoride treatment.  The fluoride treatment adheres with saliva, and is activated for 4 hours.  Each child will receive a new toothbrush after they have brushed the fluoride treatment off their teeth tonight. 


Bridgit gave each child a sticker and a Duduza (comfort) Doll, and took a picture of each child.  The children really loved the dolls, especially since they got to pick from 3 or 4 choices.  


Noella is in charge of Health at the clinic.  She assisted us with calming a few scared patients, and they found it did not hurt at all.  She translated to the younger children whose English is not strong yet.  She also taught us, "meza", which means "swallow".  Carla started the day standing and bending over each patient, but Noella was able to find a low bench for the children to sit on, so Carla could sit.  Carol was kneeling on the concrete floor to brush teeth, so Noella found a well-padded cushion for her knees.  A dental chair would be most beneficial to the dental clinic here in Kipkaren. 


At the children's devotions tonight, Carla demonstrated how to brush their teeth.  They all tend to have deep grooves in their back teeth, so she stressed really scrubbing those teeth, and not forgetting to brush their tongues.  Many children came up to show us their clean teeth tonight.