Education & Outreach
Want us at your school or event? Call 828-743-3393 or email brfreedental@gmail.com.
The Keller Children’s Dental Health Program
Based on nearly two decades of experience with patients who have not embraced proper dental hygiene, the Clinic is motivated to break the generational cycle of poor dental health by conducting school-based education and community outreach.
The goal of the Keller Children’s Dental Health Program is to provide basic education regarding proper dental hygiene to children in Western North Carolina through school-based education and outreach. The objective of the program is to reach not only the children, but also their families; and reduce the percentage of the local population that neglects their dental health. We reach over 2,000 students through education and outreach over the next each year. The Clinic trusts that the children will carry the message home to their parents and two generations will learn how to brush and floss on a regular basis.
Education
For grades K-5, education is presented by the Smile Squad which includes both staff and volunteer dental professionals. Because the Clinic recognizes that humor is an important ingredient in education at the elementary level, a Tooth Fairy in full costume accompanies the professionals in making the 20- to 30-minute presentation. Each child receives a dental kit containing a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, dental floss, and a timer for use at home.
In 2019, we expanded our education program to bring an oral health curriculum to grades 6-12. The curriculum focuses on behaviors and healthy choices that teens face and are often associated with oral health including nutrition, smoking, drug use and preventative hygiene.
Fluoride Varnish Treatments.
Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for preventing tooth decay, slowing it down, or stopping it from getting worse. With parental consent, fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush by a trained dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant. Best of all—we come to the student at their school!
Since January 2022, our Smile Squad has led education efforts in Jackson County for over 600 students from preschool to high school. Over 100 students from Preschool to High School have received the fluoride varnish treatment since March 2022.
Want us at your school or event? Call 828-743-3393 or email brfreedental@gmail.com.
Screenings
We offer dental screenings in schools to inform the student and parents of any urgent dental needs. If a student is found to have an urgent need, our Clinic works with the family to find immediate treatment and a dental home. Contact 828-743-3393 for more information about having us conduct screenings for your school or organization.
Outreach
The Clinic is committed to attending community health fairs and events throughout the year to spread positive outreach on dental hygiene. Contact us at 828-743-3393 to tell us about your event and how we can help spread oral health education with a bit of fun! We’ll bring Tooth Fairies!