Children’s
Dental Health Month: A Conversation with Hometown Health Centers Chief Dental
Officer Rory Ogden, DDS
In
observance of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the Fidelis Care
Community Relations team visited the newly opened
Hometown Health Centers dental clinic in Schenectady to
tour the facility and learn more about its operations. The clinic provides
primary and preventive care, consultation, oral surgery, and emergency
treatments. It cares for about 16,000 patients a year, which equates to 28,000
appointments, or more than 2,300 per month.
Fidelis
Care talked with Hometown Health Centers Chief Dental Officer Rory Ogden, DDS,
about some things parents and kids should know during National Children’s
Dental Health Month and how the new clinic helps make dental care more
accessible in the community year-round.
Fidelis
Care: Why is children’s dental health awareness so important?
Dr.
Ogden: Dental care is important for the overall health of every patient. Getting
regular cleanings, exams, and X-rays can help identify problems that could
progress into a more serious issue.
Fidelis
Care: What are a few key ways to help ensure good dental health in children?
Dr.
Ogden: One, make sure children brush their teeth twice a day. We encourage
parents to supervise or help brush their children’s teeth. A second way is to prioritize
good nutrition. Fruits and vegetables are very important. It’s OK for children to
have sweets or juice occasionally but try to limit them to mealtimes and have
them brush their teeth afterward. A
third thing, and it’s very important, is for your child to drink plenty of
water, especially water with fluoride, as it helps rinse and clean teeth
throughout the day.
Fidelis
Care: You mentioned fluoride. Why is that so important for children?
Dr.
Ogden: Fluoride helps strengthen children’s teeth. The outside layer is called
enamel and the fluoride attaches to the enamel to strengthen it and prevent
tooth decay and other disease within the mouth. Children can mostly get
fluoride through water if your town’s tap water is fluoridated. You can also
ask your medical or dental professional about fluoride treatments and
supplements.
Fidelis
Care: What is an effective way to help children have a good visit at the
dentist’s office?
Dr.
Ogden: Start young. We recommend that children make their first dentist visit within
six months after their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday. That
way, your child can get used to seeing the surroundings, being in the dental
chair, and having the dentist work in their mouth before it is an emergency
situation. Getting your teeth cleaned and having a fun visit can help make
going to the dentist a positive experience. Another thing for parents is
allowing the dentist to control the appointment. Let them interact with your
child to build a relationship rather than you answer questions for your child.
Fidelis
Care: How do facilities like the Hometown Health Centers dental clinic improve
accessibility for those needing care?
Dr.
Ogden: We help prevent dental emergencies or situations that require surgery.
Clinics like Hometown allow people to regularly have access to dental care and
stay on top of it. They have better outcomes through preventive dentistry like
cleanings, screenings, and exams. This helps us identify any issues when
they’re most easily treatable.