For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) recently provided dental resources to Lincoln County students in 1st through 8th grade.
In a release, LCHD said each student received a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, as well as a dental magnet that reminds families of four healthy dental habits: Brush twice a day, floss daily, visit the dentist regularly and limit sugary snacks and drinks.
Dental bags were given to students attending Tomahawk Elementary School, Tomahawk Middle School, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Kate Goodrich Elementary School, NTC Christian Academy, Prairie River Middle School, St. Francis Catholic School, St. John’s Lutheran School, Trinity Lutheran School and Washington Elementary School.
“We know that families in our county face challenges with accessing dental care, especially those with Medicaid or BadgerCare,” said Lexi Buntrock, LCHD Public Health Educator. “By educating and providing dental resources to students, we hope we can foster life-long healthy dental habits and prevent urgent dental needs in the future.”
“In addition to providing dental resources to students, this school year marks the 13th year LCHD has been part of the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile Program, which is one of the nation’s premier school-based dental sealant programs,” LCHD stated.
LCHD said the program allows children to receive preventative oral health services – fluoride varnish, dental sealants and an oral exam – at school by a registered dental hygienist, at no charge to the family.
“Dental sealants are a quick, easy, painless way to prevent cavities in children,” LCHD noted.
LCHD said parents of children in 1st through 8th grade in the Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) should have received or will receive a consent form for the Lincoln County Seal-A-Smile program.
Children can also be signed up by visiting www.sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent/Home/Aboutor contacting LCHD at 715-536-0307 or [email protected].
“If your child does not attend MAPS, but you are interested, please reach out to our department as well,” LCHD stated.
“Over the past three school years, in our Seal-A-Smile Program, we have seen the number of students with urgent dental decay increase significantly,” Buntrock said. “By providing no-cost, preventative services and dental resources to Lincoln County students, we hope we can help address this issue.”
LCHD noted that Lincoln County does not have dental clinics that can treat patients with Medicaid or BadgerCare.
“To help support these people, LCHD maintains the Lincoln County Guide to Affordable Dental Care, which provides our residents with other options for dental care,” LCHD stated.
The guide, along with other Lincoln County Resource Guides, can be found at www.bit.ly/4enlnVO.