- April 25, 2024
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Registered Dental Assistant Ayrika Goris shows Caden Cavas how to properly floss his teeth. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Hygienist Brandy Baker with Ashton Stogsdill
Robyn Anderson with Naomi Williams "My favorite part is running my tongue across my teeth after the cleaning," said Naomi Williams, fourth-grader at Rymfire Elementary. "They taste so good!" Naomi added, who chose the cinnamon tooth scrub.
Caden Cavas, fourth-grader at Rymfire Elementary School, makes a pinky-promise to Registered Dental Assistant Ayrika Goris, to brush and floss his teeth every day.
Hygienist Robyn Anderson gives a teeth cleaning to Alana Korn, a first-grader at Rymfire Elementary. "I am happy to be a part of this experience," said Anderson. "It teaches the kids great oral hygiene, and erases the fear of coming to the dentist."
Kids filed into the Flagler Dental office, first thing Friday morning, for a special visit to the dentist.
“I’m really nervous, I can feel my legs shaking” said Ashton Stogsdill, as he sat rigidly in the waiting room. Ashton, a fourth-grader at Rymfire Elementary School, and member of the Boys and Girls Club, was about to experience his first visit to the dentist.
The Flagler Dental Associates participated in the 5th-annual “Give Kids a Smile Day” on Friday, Feb. 5. Twenty Flagler County, low-income and underprivileged children, who are a part of the Rymfire Elementary School’s Boys and Girls Club, visited Flagler Dental and Dentique Dental, for a routine dental exam and teeth cleaning. Some of the children also received x-rays, cavity fillings, fluoride treatments and tooth sealants.
“These kids would normally not have the opportunity to come to the dentist,” said Shantelle Britt, of the Boys and Girls Club. “This is a win-win situation for the families. The kids are treated to a free yearly dental visit, and the parents are able to not miss a day at work. This experience helps the kids understand the importance of taking care of themselves, and eliminates the fear of a dentist office.”
“I learned that going to the dentist is important, so I don’t end up looking like a shark, with ugly crooked teeth.” Khalyeo Robinson, fourth grader at Rymfire Elementary School
The “Give Kids a Smile Day” was started in 1990, to aid in the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children. Comprised of about 150 dentists, from Volusia and
Flagler Counties, the Dental Association strives to improve the health of the public.
“Teaching good dental hygiene at this young age is critically important,” said Dr. Smith, of Flagler Dental. “We hope that what they learn will last them a lifetime.”
Contact Shantelle Britt, of the Boys and Girls Club of America, at 313-1988, to involve your child in next years “Give Kids a Smile Day.”
