THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602130089
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
All those strange people in white.
All those plastic gloves.
All those sharp, pointy instruments coming right at her.
It was all too much for 4-year-old Than Nguyen. As she approached the examining chair at Old Dominion University's Dental Hygiene Clinic on Saturday, the little girl burst into tears.
It didn't help much that her two brothers and a sister were scrambling into nearby chairs to get their teeth cleaned, too.
No, the only thing that would calm Than was to have her mother stand right beside her, holding her hand, while the two hygienists cleaned her teeth.
After a few minutes and some tender words of consolation from hygienists Jennifer Hayes and Laura Heisler, Than's tears had vanished and her mouth opened in cooperation.
``She's turned into a real trooper,'' said Heisler, a dental hygienist from NAS Oceana as she scaled the girl's teeth. ``She was a little frightened at first. But for any kid, the first time they get their teeth cleaned can be pretty intimidating. She's already come a long way.''
Heisler was one of 15 professional dental hygienists and 30 ODU students in the school's dental hygiene program who volunteered to provide free cleanings, exams and other dental services to about 50 children, ages 3 to 12, from the local Refugee Immigration Service Feb. 10 at the ODU clinic. Several local dental companies donated supplies and free giveaways.
Sponsored by ODU and the Tidewater Dental Hygienists Association, the program was held in conjunction with national Children's Dental Health Month. This was the fourth year the two groups have held the event.
``We decided to do this for these kids after looking at a couple of populations in the area that are in need and that might not normally have access to dental care,'' said Irene Connolly, the member of the association responsible for coordinating the event.
``Since it's national Children's Dental Health Month, we wanted to make people aware that good dental hygiene at an early age is very important. For many of these children, it's the first time they've ever gotten their teeth cleaned.''
As part of the care, the hygienists X-rayed, cleaned and applied a sealant to any permanent teeth. They also explained to children the value of good nutrition and demonstrated proper techniques of good dental home care. Each child left with a bag filled with a new toothbrush, coloring books and other goodies.
After getting her teeth cleaned, at least one child was already a convert to good dental care.
While Than was still getting her teeth cleaned, in the waiting room, 3-year-old Russie Tan was going through her bag and showing off her newly polished smile for her father, sitting nearby.
``This is how to brush,'' the girl told the man with a serious expression.
Tightly holding her new pink and purple toothbrush, Russie began to move it up and down, around and around.
Her father beamed, then asked his wife with a proud smile: ``She's got it now, doesn't she?'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
ODU senior Stephanie Satkowski cleans 9-year-old Tan Nguyen's
teeth.
by CNB