Page 39 - WesternU View Summer 2019
P. 39
Above: CDM Assistant Dean for Community Patient Care Marisa Watanabe,
DDS, shows records of a patient with CDM student Natalie Cronan; Left:
WesternU College of Dental Medicine recently had two Registered Dental
Assistant’s become certified as Extended Function, known as RDAEF,
allowing them to be on-hand with CDM students to process a “virtual dental
home” treating Interim Therapeutic Restorations (ITRs). When needed a
faculty member offsite can assist by viewing images and electronic health
records.
School District Early Childhood main site, children – and
their parents - are learning to become more comfortable
receiving dental care. Mountain View School District staff
help make children comfortable. The first goal is for the
patient to sit in a chair. The next step might be brushing their
teeth with fluoridated toothpaste.
“Any time we have an encounter with parents, we provide
“We want to get kids ready for education,” Salazar said. “It is going to take time, but we are
starting early. We are seeing pregnant moms and infants. We
school. If dental pain is not are starting education with parents even before their baby has
teeth. We’re hoping by the time they are 4 years old, the child
addressed, they won’t be able to has been going to the dentist every six months since they were
learn. It will affect attendance. If a year old.
we eliminate medical or dental “For us it’s all about school readiness,” she added. “We want
to get kids ready for school. If dental pain is not addressed,
needs, we address the child’s they won’t be able to learn. It will affect attendance. If we
eliminate medical or dental needs, we address the child’s
ability to be in school.” ability to be in school.” n
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