Our Services
Oral Screening
Stacy Eastman, DDS, visually screens each child for cavities and abnormalities.
Oral Health Education
Brushing and oral health education is provided to parents and children at the school site.
Professional Cleaning and Fluoride
Taft College Dental Hygiene students, under the supervision of Stacy Eastman, DDS, provide to each child’s teeth, a professional dental cleaning and an application of topical fluoride to protect them from decay.
Sealants
If a child's first permanent molars (also known as 6-year molars) are erupted and decay-free, sealants are placed to prevent future decay.
Pediatric Dental Treatment
Children who are identified as needing further treatment are then given the opportunity to be treated by one of the local subcontracted pediatric dentists, Dr. Launspach, Dr. Purdy, Dr. Dove, Dr. Bang or Dr. Sturz, in their respective offices. The Kern County Children’s Dental Health staff assists parents in accessing local dental treatment for their child. There are no fees for any of the dental services provided.
Cavity Varnish
Cavity Varnish is an effective, preventive technique approved by the American Dental Association that helps fight decay in young children’s teeth. It has a pleasant taste, sets rapidly and only takes minutes to apply. No dental tools or anesthetic is used to apply the varnish, only a small soft brush. The varnish remains on the surface of the teeth for several months and immediately begins releasing fluoride periodically over a four-month period of time.
Preschools and child development centers can complete an application for services to receive fluoride varnish for the children in their centers. Children receive a visual dental screening, application of fluoride varnish and a new toothbrush. The fluoride varnish is applied 3 times a year in order to maintain its efficacy.
Nurse Referral Program
If school nurse identifies a child with decay and the child has no resources, he/she can refer child to our program. We then facilitate an appointment into one of four pediatric dentist offices.
Ask a Hygienist
An on-line project developed by Kern County Children’s Dental Health Network for parents to answer questions about child dental hygiene care or the role of a dental hygienist in child oral health care.
This is a Manila site.