The Superior District Dental Society purchased ‘Transport a Tooth’ kits for our area schools.  If a tooth is “knocked out” it is placed in the kit’s solution.  The student and the kit are taken to the dentist ASAP.  The solution helps preserve the tooth so it may be placed into the student’s mouth.  A local pharmacy makes the kits at cost for the program.  The Marquette County Health Department (MCHD) ‘Dental Outreach Program’ delivers the kits along with directions and phone contacts for replacement kits to all area schools.    

Marquette Dental Clinic/Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. contact information, toothbrushes, and prevention pamphlets have been distributed to our two hospitals for their ‘newborn parent packets’ in an effort to prevent ‘Early Childhood Caries.’  On average, both hospitals combined deliver over 1,000 newborn infants. 

The MCHD’s dental hygienist visits area kindergarten classrooms to teach good oral health habits to students in a ‘game-like’ atmosphere.  Marquette Dental Clinic information, prevention materials, toothbrushes and stickers were given to all students.  Approximately 680 kindergarten students and teachers enjoyed a visit from the dental hygienist.

Six out of 8 eligible Marquette County schools participated in the Fluoride Mouthrinse Program (FMP) for the 2010-11 school year.  Out of 6 participating schools, 1,799 students could have rinsed weekly, and 1,496 actually did for an 83% participation rate!  (Powell Township School in Big Bay, Michigan, is still not participating in the program, along with Cherry Creek School of Marquette, Michigan for this school year.)  Gilbert Elementary School in Gwinn was eligible, and chose to participate.   

Elementary schools located in areas with non-fluoridated water supplies are eligible, (along with schools that have children living in areas with non-fluoridated water supplies.)  The FMP is free to all students who return a signed parental consent allowing them to participate.  The students rinse once a week, for one minute (with fluoride) throughout the school year.  Supplies and training are provided to the schools by a dental hygienist.  Parent volunteers, teachers, aides, and school nurses are trained to implement the program.  The program, training, and supplies are free! 

The program is a wonderful adjunct to daily oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits.  The FMP not meant to replace brushing, flossing, or trips to the dentist.

With financial help from Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the MCHD will once again provide Marquette County elementary schools with the FMP for the 2011-12 school year.

The Marquette Dental Clinic is now called “Michigan Community Dental Clinic” and is sponsored by the MCHD and operated by Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc.  Marquette Dental Clinic information is always distributed during dental outreach programs, kindergarten screenings, health fairs, and other health department services.  Visit www.midental.org for more information.