Preschoolers at the Central Street Head Start program in Franklin County are getting an important early start on dental health, thanks to a free, two-day dental care initiative led by a collaboration between the Community Health Center of Franklin County and J&S Smile Pros.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, children at Head Start had access to essential dental services such as teeth cleanings, tooth sealants, fluoride treatments, and X-rays, regardless of their parents’ dental insurance status. This partnership extends to 17 local schools across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, aiming to foster long-term healthy habits for young children.
Shannan Beaton, compliance and business manager at the Community Health Center, shared that this effort is part of the center’s ongoing collaboration with J&S Smile Pros, a mobile dental clinic. The program, known as “Dental Days,” allows children in local schools and preschools to receive quality dental care without the burden of travel or insurance restrictions. The center has also hired its own dental hygienist to oversee the program.
“We’ve been fortunate to work with J&S Smile Pros, and Jennifer Hauschild and Sara Jambard are going above and beyond to ensure these children receive top-tier care,” Beaton said.
To create a welcoming environment for the children, J&S Smile Pros set up their mobile practice in a familiar space: an upstairs room at the Head Start building. The room was decorated with pink lawn chairs, stuffed animals, and sunglasses to help ease any anxieties. Alongside the mobile equipment, the staff, including Community Health Center’s hygienist Sarie Whitehouse, was ready to provide care with a gentle and child-friendly approach.
Hauschild, one of the dental hygienists, explained that many of the children are visiting the dentist for the first time. She noted that as the children interact with friendly professionals and observe their peers undergoing treatment, they become more relaxed, helping them develop a positive view of dental care. This early experience is crucial for instilling lifelong dental habits.
The program is particularly important given the disparities in pediatric dental care, which can be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and access to insurance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), school dental sealant programs—like the one offered through this collaboration—are essential in promoting dental equity and preventing cavities in children.
The services provided not only benefit the children directly but also improve accessibility for families. By partnering with local schools, parents can easily sign up their children for dental services that come to them, eliminating the need to travel long distances to a clinic.
Even after children age out of the mobile clinic’s target age group of 1 to 5 years old, Beaton explained that the Community Health Center continues to provide resources and support to ensure ongoing care. Parents receive documentation on the services their children have received, along with helpful tips for maintaining dental hygiene at home.
As February is Children’s Oral Health Month, this partnership between Community Health Center and Head Start comes at an ideal time to reinforce the importance of dental health for young children. Jenn Guetti Slocum, Health Manager for Community Action Head Start and Early Learning Programs, emphasized the significance of starting dental care as early as age one and maintaining regular check-ups to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.
“Oral health is crucial, even for the youngest children, and we want to make sure that all families are equipped to keep their children on track with their dental health,” Slocum said. “Our goal is to support parents in making sure their children are seen by a dentist at least every six months.”
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