IRVINGTON PRINCIPAL IDENTIFIES POOR ORAL HEALTH AS OBSTACLE TO LEARNING

- Toothbrushes, Screenings and Health Class Now Part of Curriculum  -

PARSIPPANY, NJ (May 5, 2010)

Students at the Florence Avenue Elementary School in Irvington, N.J., are combating a “hidden” barrier to learning - poor oral health. Through an innovative program sponsored in part by the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, the students are brushing up on the oral health habits that will keep them in school and learning.

The program was initiated by Principal James Washington, who surveyed the student population on general and oral health issues when he first arrived three years ago.

“In many cases, families were unable to take their children to the dentist once every two years,” he said, “let alone ‘every six months’ as recommended. Students need to be in optimal health to learn to their potential. Poor health care can dramatically affect their educational growth and can keep them out of school more often, further stunting their progress.” 

In an effort to improve the health of students, Principal Washington hired a health education teacher, Nadia Champagne, to conduct weekly classes for each grade. 

“It was our good fortune that the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation application arrived at our offices last spring,” he added. 

The grant is part of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation’s annual Oral Health Education Initiative for public and charter elementary schools in school districts formerly known as Abbott Districts (underserved areas). The grant program is designed to encourage teachers, curriculum coordinators, school nurses or anyone else in the school district to create a new or expanded oral health education program for third-grade classes to teach young students the value of daily oral hygiene. Third grade is targeted because dental education typically is offered only through second grade.

Florence Avenue Elementary is a first-year grant recipient for the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation program. The grant was used to purchase much-needed toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash for its 94 third-grade students, as well as oral health educational materials including DVDs, posters and books. Dental health experts have addressed school assemblies. 

As part of the health program Washington implemented, Dr. Robin Lucas conducts annual dental screenings at Florence Avenue Elementary. She sends letters home to parents if she sees cavities and recommends that they visit their local dentist. She also does a third-grade classroom presentation as one of the monthly activities of the Delta Dental Oral Health Education Initiative. 

Champagne teaches weekly health classes that include a focus on dental health. Messages stressed throughout the program include brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing every day, using a daily fluoride rinse, getting dental exams annually, asking about sealants and eating healthy food. 

“The students demonstrated their newfound knowledge gained through the Oral Health Education Initiative at an April 19 school assembly that offered quizzes, games, prizes and certificates,” said Champagne. “They also participated in a dental child safety identification program where Dr. Robin Lucas and her dental hygienist Mira Dove, R.D.H., created bite impressions for each child to take home. The bite impressions could be used to identify children in much the same way as fingerprints.”

“The third grade is really getting the message about the importance of good oral health care,” said Champagne. “The students are so proud to tell me how they are using their new toothbrushes, and parents tell me brushing is one less thing they have to nag their children about.”

Deadline for 2010-2011 grants is June 18 

While school budgets continue to be cut, schools can take advantage of grants like the Oral Health Education Initiative.

“The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is proud to be able to sustain the Oral Health Education Initiative to provide alternative funding for innovative school districts,” said Gene F. Napoliello, D.D.S., president, Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. “We have maintained our level of giving in all areas of our Foundation throughout the recession. We realize that now more than ever, the underserved need our assistance in improving their oral health.”

“We salute innovative educators such as Mr. Washington, who understand the connection between health and education, and oral health and overall health, and take concrete steps to provide the optimum learning environment at school,” added Napoliello.

Delta Dental will accept Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation’s Oral Health Education Initiative applications through June 18, 2010. The 2010-2011 grantees will be notified on or before August 15, 2010. For more information, please contact Kimberly Elmore at 973-944-4555 or kelmore@deltadentalnj.com. To learn about other school programs or the Kid’s Club offered by Delta Dental of New Jersey, visit www.deltadentalnj.com. For current news about the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, including previous Oral Health Education Initiative grant recipients, visit the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Facebook page and read our blog on nj.com/Helping Hands. 

About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental system offers seamless dental benefits administration for employer groups throughout the country and has the largest network of dentists in the nation. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation
Delta Dental established the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, providing research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and improving dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout the state.