| Hours |
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Kennewick:
8am to noon
1pm to 5pm
Monday-Friday
Pasco:
8am to noon
1pm to 5pm
Monday-Friday
Prosser Office
NEW HOURS!
Immunizations: Tuesday and Thursday; 9am to Noon and 1pm to 5pm.
Environmental Health: Monday and Thursday; 9am to 10:30am.
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Oral Health
 Oral Health
The Oral
Health Program at the Benton Franklin Health District provides a variety of
preventive and educational services including: classroom oral health education;
oral health in services for teachers, nurses, physicians, and others; fluoride
prescription information; coordination of the ABCD program (access to Baby and
Child Dentistry) and dental screening and referrals for pregnant women in our
First Steps program. The Oral Health Program also coordinates with the school
based dental sealant program in Benton and Franklin counties. Program staff
also participates in the Benton Franklin Oral Health Coalition, the Benton
Franklin Community Health Alliance and the Washington Dental Service
Foundation's Cavity Free Kids program. The mission of these groups is to
provide avenues for oral health care and preventive dental services to the
citizens of Benton and Franklin Counties.
|
Contact: Kathy Story, Registered Dental
Hygienist & Oral Health Program Coordinator
|
|
 Kathy
Story
|
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(509)
460-4253
|
The Tooth
Tutor oral health curriculum is available to be checked out by school
teachers. The Tooth Tutor is a K-5 program that includes overhead materials,
classroom activities, information letters to send to parents, and tooth trivia.
To find out more about the Tooth Tutor
|
Contact: Kathy
Story, Registered Dental Hygienist & Oral Health Program Coordinator
|
|
Kathy
Story
|
|
(509)
460-4253
|
Commonly asked questions about fluoride:
Sealants
+
Fluodide
=
Maximum
Protection
Against
Cavities
|
|
A:
Sealants Protect
The Chewing Surfaces
|
|
B:
Fluoride Protects
The Smooth Surfaces
|
|
- How
does fluoride work?
Fluoride works in two ways--Topically (toothpaste, rinses, gels) by
strengthening teeth already present in the mouth making them more decay
resistant, and Systemically (in water, drops, tablets) by being ingested
into the body and becoming part of the forming teeth. Fluoride in
drinking water also helps protect adults from cavities on the roots of
teeth.
- How
long has fluoridated water been around?
Fluoride occurs naturally in ground water so it has been around forever.
However, Grand Rapids, Michigan was the first community in the US/world
to fluoridate their community drinking water. This happened on January
1, 1945 (over 50 years ago)!!
- When
should children start taking fluoride supplements?
At the age of six months if they are not receiving fluoride by any other
means (ie: formula, drinking water, etc.) Check with your pediatrician
or dentist to find out if fluoride supplements are right for your child.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends continuing
fluoride supplements until the age of 16.
- If
my child uses fluoride toothpaste or receives a treatment at the
dentist, why use supplements?
Toothpaste and dental treatments are topical and only protect the outer
surfaces. To receive the benefit of fluoride "inside" the
tooth as it forms you need systemic fluoride like that in supplements or
fluoridated drinking water.
|
Seal
Out Decay!!!
|
|
Sealants
are thin, tooth-colored, plastic material that is applied to the chewing
surfaces of back teeth (molars). Sealants prevent tooth decay (cavities) by
preventing plaque bacteria from getting in the deep grooves on the chewing
surface of molars. The Benton Franklin Health District coordinates with a
school based sealant program that provides preventive dental services to
many of the schools in Benton and Franklin counties.
|
|
If your
child goes to one of the schools participating, look for them to bring home a
yellow permission slip and information about sealants. Contact your school
nurse or the Oral Health Coordinator below.
|
|
Contact:Â
Kathy Story, Registered Dental Hygienist & Oral Health Program
Coordinator
|
|
 Kathy Story
|
|
(509)
460-4253
|
|
About the BFHD 
Benton Franklin Health District